Search - Thousand Yard Stare :: Hands on

Melodic pop-rock from the early nineties

Pieter | Johannesburg | 01/05/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 1992 debut album from Thousand Yard Stare contains the best tracks from their earlier extended play singles like Comeuppance, Weatherwatching and Seasonstream. The music is a delightful blend of jangling guitars, catchy riffs and lovely melodies. Although firmly rooted in rock, their melodic songs have a strong pop appeal that makes them stick in the mind. The closest comparisons in my opinion are the UK group James and early Tom Petty, although Thousand Yard Stare's overall sound is lighter and more bouncy than the latter. My favourite songs include the tuneful opening number O.0 a.e.t., Seasonstream with its rousing guitars, Nonplussed with its great harmonies and impressive guitar textures, Last Up First To Go with its nervous early nineties beat and Buttermouth with its hypnotic guitar lines.Judging by the quality of the sound and the material on this album, I am surprised that Thousand Yard Stare did not achieve greater success. Hands On is a charming collection of tuneful pop-rock songs that linger in the mind long after the last notes have died down. It's more than ten years later but I'm pleased to have discovered this album."

Great promise then they faded

Paul Kendall | Los Angeles | 01/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It seems like so many early 90s British bands grabbed a brief moment of glory then faded into the sunset. Although the Yardies released another album, it never lived up to expectations and they too were shown to the revolving door.



More like a collection of popular EPs, "Hands On" has some great tunes. Things get moving fast with "0-0 A.E.T." a melodic jangle of a tune. "Comeuppance" is terrific too. My favorite is definitely "Buttermouth" a glorious mix of drums and guitars.



If you like good music and want a break from the "Manchester" sounds, give the Yardies a listen."