Cops On The Edge
Demo
Wednesday 3rd of December 2008
The 80's has been done to death. The Klaxons et al, who for a short while had the fashionista-indie-elites frothing like electro-shock victims, are drowning in the synth saturated seas they once sailed. Style-motivated, commerce-driven synth-pop has reached it's sell by date. It's over.
But wait. Here come Cops On The Edge from South London, throwing Devo inspired shapes all over the dance floor. Surely this should be the final nail in the new-wave coffin? Surprisingly, it's not. Their self-titled demo is sharp, quirky and filled with enough uplifting melodies to fill a New Order sized hole.
Cops On The Edge create a gulf between themselves and their peers with their infectious character and gutsy attempt at simply being themselves. And it works extraordinarily well. What we have here is four songs that blend seamlessly into a one-inch-punch of strange pop escapism.
Opener 'I Want Don't Get' sounds like what Devo would have if they had come from England. The lyrics are just as surreal too: "I want to open a chain of restaurants with Charlotte Church called 'It's all gravy'". Yet the charm and joyous abandon of the track makes up for the hair-brain poetry. Instantly guaranteed to put a spring in your step!
'Summer Games II' is a merry go round of staccato riffs and DIY rawness. However, the true gem on the demo is 'Semi Engaged', a track stripped of the band's new-wave straight jacket; a track which relies on the drive of pure melody alone. Beneath the child-like chimes of the xylophone is a rush of straight-ahead indie rock, suitable for rotation at indie clubs near you.
There we have it. A revivalist band that isn't just a carbon copy of the 80's imprint. This is a band with a heart in the right place and a tongue in the right place too. Their cheek.
Author: Jamie S
Label: Self-Released
Found in: Record Reviews
Official Rating
We rated this record 4 out of 5.