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Album Review

Popular Workshop
We're Alive And We're Not Alone This Is Fake DIY Records

Article written by Ged M - Nov 3, 2008

Though named after a movement of students and protesting workers in the May 1968 Paris riots, Popular Workshop’s sound isn’t quite revolutionary but it is striking. They make arty, angular thrash-pop, a little influenced by dance music but definitely “not nu-rave” they say (imagine Bloc Party with all the pretentious bluster surgically removed). The music is full of driving rhythms, whizzing keyboards and chaotic drumming, making for gloriously inelegant dance moves, but they also know their way around a pop hook.

They used to be more abrasive and edgy – and still can be, if the screechy metallic clang of 'Radical' is anything to go by – but ‘Popsong’ is everything its title promises, an insistent blast of addictive riffs, and 'All About Vikki' is a frantic full-on answer to the Arctic Monkeys. The kinetic energy and whooping vocals make 'Her Birthday' an instant favourite while they save the best till last: 'Villains Who Twirl Their Moustaches Are Easy To Spot' has a great title, a great grumbling bass, catchy-as-fuck hooks and a sound similar to the late, great Pavement. It’s heart-stoppingly hyperactive music, not letting up once in pace or quality, and one of the best debuts in a long, long time.

Links:
http://www.popularworkshop.co.uk/
http://www.thisisfakediyrecords.co.uk/artist/popular-workshop
http://www.myspace.com/popularworkshop

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