Post-Punk Perfection
Lypo Suck | Hades, United States | 04/03/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Finally, after years of being out of print, fetching stupidly high prices on ebay, Cherry Red has decided to re-reissue this wildly cool and sadly overlooked gem of an album. Epic Garden Music was Sad Lovers and Giants' semi-full-length debut, a mini album recorded on the heels of a few stellar singles that deftly fused infectious pop melodies with moody, post-punk angst. All of those singles and their b-sides are featured here, kicking off the album to provide a chronological listening experience.
By the time they recorded Epic Garden Music, the band had arrived at a distinctive style that featured highly melodic, sometimes delicate arpeggiated guitar melodies, atmospheric sheets of synths and the occasional snake-like sax, anchored down by rhythms and tempos both cool/calm and rushing/intense. The overall effect is a moody, dark, psychedelia; colorful, inviting, but also brooding and dreamy, etc... It's like an art-pop band with a flair for moodiness and melancholy, or an early 80s goth band without a shred of goth pretense.
Echoplay is a blazing, catchy rocker, while Clocktower Lodge envelopes the listener in a foggy, dream-like haze. The snappy Clint is infectious and brooding, while Alice (Isn't Playing) casts a dizzying web of melody. Of the pre-Epic singles, the catchy Colourless Dream could have given Joy Division a run for its money, while the angular Tightrope Touch builds a marvelously tense head of steam.
From start to finish, this collection simply does not falter. I highly recommend this to anyone who digs the likes of the Cure, Joy Division, Chameleons, and most of the 4ad or Factory stuff that was coming out at the time."