Friday, October 9, 2015

High Hi - Calm Down Sir 7" - White w/ Splatter Vinyl

Untitled

Punk Fox (2015)

I have a somewhat complicated relationship with the Punk Fox record label.  On one hand they were one of the earliest supporters of my dumb little website, sending me review copies of records before almost anyone else.  They're also incredibly loyal, having sent me every single record they've ever released.  Additionally, I've got to give it up for a small UK label trying to make their way in the world releasing vinyl with little to no web presence.  With Snuffy Smiles and Rugger Bugger being at the very top of the list of record labels I respect, seeing someone else take a similar path is exciting.

The complicated part of the relationship comes in because I haven't really liked most of the records they've put out.  Not all of them, there's been a few that were pretty good, but the bulk just haven't been up my alley.  This brings us to High Hi, a band that I feel just as conflicted about.  

On one hand, it's really not bad at all.  A-side "Calm Down Sir" is instrumental for the first 3 minutes or so, with crunchy guitars and a leisurely tempo.  The energy gradually builds throughout the song and when the vocals kick in, it's pretty triumphant.  On the B-side is "Tommy" which is a more traditional and straightforward song.  The guitars are a bit more swirly and the vocals a bit more structured and pointed.  

That's the one hand.  The other hand is that even though these songs are alright, I don't really like them all that much either.  Again, they aren't inherently bad or anything, but this sort of thing just doesn't really do anything for me.  I like my rock a bit punchier I guess and every time I listen to this record I tend to start zoning out. I'm sure there are folks that would like this, though I'm not positive they'd turn to my website for recommendations...

High Hi - Calm Down Sir 7":

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