Pop punk balladeers of the highest melodic and moral order.

14 MP3 Songs in this album (49:46) !
Related styles: POP: British Pop, ELECTRONIC: Ambient

People who are interested in Roxy Music Erik Satie Tuxedomoon should consider this download.


Details:
Hailing from the UK comes Trakwerxâ first international signing, Cult With No Name. Self-professed âpost-punk electronic balladeersâ the London duo of Erik Stein (lead vocals/rhythm piano) and Jon Boux (lead piano/rhythm vocals) have created a unique piano/synth sound that uncannily captures both the subtlety and sophistication of Erik Steinâs personal lyrical stylings.

Judging from the understated sophistication of their first album 'Paper Wraps Rock', it is hard to imagine that neither the classically trained Boux nor the human encyclopedia of underground pop music Stein have been in any other band prior to Cult With No Name. Accordingly the obligatory mentioning of past bands which in most instances includes mostly bands nobody knows anyway will be dispensed with. Seriously though, 'Paper Wraps Rock' would be impossible to categorize without references to such important artists ranging in time (and style) as Erik Satie, George Gershwin, Keith Jarrett, Court and Spark era Joni Mitchell and Honky Chateau era Elton John. â80sâ references would have to include Wire, Shriekback, Roxy Music, Tuxedomoon and The Associates. It stands to reason that leading British music journalist Mick Mercer selected 'Paper Wraps Rock' as one of his albums of the year and the band as his discovery of 2007.

Hot on the heels of their debut, Trakwerx is proud to give you Cult With No Name's second helping in 'Careful What You Wish For'. On 'Paper Wraps Rock', the London duo of Erik Stein and Jon Boux sang of 'More of the Same', but 'Careful What You Wish For' is anything but. Sure, the haunting, melodic piano balladry is still in evidence on opener 'Flying Ant Day' (albeit in the guise of a something that sounds like a drinking song), and 'Hands, Two, Touch' (CWNN's very own 'Life on Mars'), but the majority of the album prods your ears with a variety of other influences. 'Context is Everything' hints at Scritti Politti, 'Down the Line' could be Stan Ridgway, whilst 'You and Who's Army' somehow matches the mournful croon of Tony Bennett to the minimalist funk of Shriekback or ESG. And if faux-discaux is your thing, then 'Hurting the ones you love the most' is bound to get your ears a dancin'.

On 'Careful What You Wish For', Cult With No Name takes positive delight in exploiting their influences, complete with a stunning version of The Stranglers' 'Golden Brown' and some quite remarkable violin from Tuxedomoon legend Blaine L. Reininger. And as if one violin wasn't enough, 'She B.C.' gives you seven guitars...all at the same time, playing unison. Now who wouldn't wish for that.

Given that misery loves company, it follows logic that 'Careful What You Wish' will sell in droves. You, however, may find it for sale in good record stores.