CLEAR AND REFRESHING
home  news  reviews  gig schedule  features  links  email  
gigs  albums  singles  
reviews - singles

go back to reviews  back to singles

"Ether Radio"  Chikinki  Release date: 2004  Label: Island

I probably wouldn't have given this the time of day if I hadn't heard that they were from Bristol but I'm glad that I did because few songs this year have rewarded repeat listens better than this. It's rock, but with dance bits in it. You know, like that song by Stellastarr*, and like The Rapture. Except... well, except nothing, that's what it's like. At first. Listen more though, the dueling keyboards weave textures round the song that The Rapture, with their rather more basic approach could never come close to, and while Stellastarr* are basically an indie band who have incorporated some 80s New Wave elements into their songs, Chikinki approach the construction of their songs from more of a dance angle (particularly on the equally fab B-side "You'll Never Walk Again"), with far greater understanding of the technology. It gives a richness to the music that few other bands of this kind have achieved and, like all the great Bristol bands, they have a magpie's eye for influences and the talent to weave them together seamlessly. -Ian Martin, Jun.20.04

Chikinki [Ether Radio] 2004 Ether Radio

top of page

© CLEAR AND REFRESHING