The Lonely Men of Selly Oak
Paul Ess. | Holywell, N.Wales,UK. | 02/04/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Exhilarating second album from the fruity and funny Yam-Yam Gang which basically has everything you could ever want from an lp, if you're in any way a fan of adventurous, spirited pop music.
18 belligerent, salty odes from a time when, if you were un-precious and unpretentious, you were either into the Fall or these or probably both.
Wordy, completely un-rockist (ie proper punk) music, with lyrics that don't insult OR test your intelligence, and bolstered by wailing violin and abrupt keyboards which fills out the crazy Nightingales sound in direct contrast to the sparse, clipped style of their storming debut, 'Pigs on Purpose'
If the first Nightingales album was the album that finally defined the term 'indie', then 'Hysterics' defines it's progression from a time when ponderous synth-bands roamed the earth, to a more aesthetically fulfilling spiky pop period that pushed our way the likes of the Smiths and James.
The Nightingales never stood still, the frequent line-up changes meant a constant re-evaluation and many re-influences into the (still quite young) music, resulting in singer Robert Lloyd's solid blocks of dryly observant lyrics often being the only constant in their ever-changing (s)world.
This was one group who you knew would never sell out. They couldn't. When they tried (quite hard) a few years later with the misguided 'Vindaloo' tour and collaborations, they fell flat on their faces. Always to remain 'cult' and 'underground' I'm afraid, much to Mr. R. Lloyds' chagrin.
In reality, it's where they belonged; eating curry, drinking beer and being from Birmingham.
Joining the Nightingales, leaving the Nightingales, re-joining the Nightingales ad infinitum. And, every 18 months or so, dishing out minor gems like 'Hysterics' to a small coterie of discerning people who passionately believed that rock music shouldn't be an 'everyday occurrence', but something rare and special.
And by that vital criteria, this album more than delivers.
Good despite words."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1