Review: The Postmarks 'Memoirs At The End Of The World'

Ever get the impression that The Postmarks' new LP, 'Memoirs at the End of the World' might be a touch sixtified? Is it the nice looking chanteuse on the front cover that does it? Is it the band name? Is it the Verve style sleeve and all that?

Yes, yes and yes.

Also, it's the sounds on the grooves. The Postmarks are a band indebted to making music that sounds like it should soundtrack some hip bit in an old film that sees some guy in a sharp suit razzing down some Mediterranean coast in an open top car with a blah blah blah... I'll stop that image right now. You get the picture and, more importantly, it'll stop me from being some hackneyed idiot creep.

Basically, this is an album that is unashamedly sixties. However, it doesn't sound like a sixties band. I couldn't hit you with a "This band are taking the throne of Sandi Shaw and making it new..." or anything like that. No, this is a band that exists in the daydreams of those obsessed by that glorious (and overhyped) decade.

Shot through spy-flicks, yé-yé and whatever Broadcast, Stereolab, Early Cardigans, Candie Payne, Shortwave Set have been listening to all these years... The Postmarks have made a remarkably good album that should flick the switches of anyone who likes super-cool pop. Please note, 'pop' in this case means 'Catchy Music For Musos' rather than something that will attack the Top Ten and barge Pixie Lott outta the way.

Basically, this is a record that does exactly what it says on the tin. It feels like an album dreamed up by Captain Scarlet's girlfriend. It's creeped out by lurching Mysterons and coloured by sixties pop strings and action brass. It's a brilliant little record as a result.

In singer Tim Yehezkely - the very attractive woman you see on the front cover of the LP... and yes, we've noted she's got a man name too - we have a great voice for a blissed out set like this.

She's other worldly and breathy... like someone singing sweetly in the middle of a freak-out in a '60 drugsploitation flick. Basically, I'm telling you that you'll fancy the hell outta her if you listen to this long-player.

Mercifully, she's not just some eye-candy to front a nerd-band. The whole thing is a wonderful and cohesive piece that warrants repeat listens. This album is a wonderful, cinematic pop gem that won't waste any time getting its hooks in you... and then, the more you play it, it'll burrow under your skin and up into your brain.

Buy it. This is a modern bubblegum masterpiece that broods like sci-fi gone bad. [Mof Gimmers]

The Postmarks 'Memoirs at the End of the World'

Release Date: August 25

Tracklist: 01 No One Said This Would Be Easy 02 My Lucky Charm 03 Thorn in Your Side 04 Don't Know Till You Try 05 All You Ever Wanted 06 Runaway Love 07 For Better... Or Worse? 08 I'm in Deep 09 Thorn in Your Side (Reprise) 10 Go Jetsetter 11 Theme From "Memoirs" 12 The Girl From Algenib 13 Gone