Mama Scuba - You're A Long Time Dead, So What's The Hurry
by Dixie Ernill
published: 25 / 2 / 2005
Label:
Redemption
Format: CD
intro
Promising debut album from innovative new Leeds act, Mama Scuba, who recall Clinic and Muse, but who "are also uniquely their own sound"
After a couple of listens I wasn’t sure what to make of this debut long player by new Leeds scamps, Mama Scuba. Dis-jointed and ill-prepared, bordering on unfinished were my initial thoughts, but Leeds has been the spawning ground of some of my favourite bands of yesteryear (the mighty Cud and the recently reformed Wedding Present to name but two), so I decided to give the CD another play. Now I know what people mean when they describe a record as a “grower”! Dis-jointed has been replaced by edgy and urgent, ill-prepared by innovative and unfinished by, teasingly, not quite the finished article. Musically, Mama Scuba are a heady mix of Muse, Clinic and Inme, but they are also uniquely their own sound. The high point is 'Freak Accident' when Wes Dale’s voice is allowed to fully lose its shackles during the excellent 'Take A Chance On Us' chorus. Elsewhere, 'Jennifer Lenz' is good stuff and 'Snow'(a previous single) is a fine example of the band’s “sound”, while 'Squeaky Clean' shows their more quirky (but instantly catchy) side. This is not a truly great album, but there is certainly enough promise to keep an eye peeled for future releases. God willing a solid 'B' could become a shiny 'A' next time out. Take a chance on them!
Track Listing:-
1 Infinite Bleak2 Who Are, You Are?
3 Squeaky Clean
4 El Shake
5 Make a Stance
6 Freak Accident
7 The Untouchable
8 Pouche
9 Snow
10 White Siberian Lines
11 Silver Stranger
12 Jennifer Lenz
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Liam Gallagher and John Squire - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 16/3/2024
Nico - Profile
Sami Sumner - Interview
Doug Dillard Expedition - Live At The Hotel Fremont, Las Vegas, September 1970
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadKula Shaker - Natural Magick
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes - Dark Rainbow
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart