Tuesday 15 July 2014

REVIEW: THE PICTISH TRAIL - SECRET SOUNDZ VOL 1 & 2

The Pictish Trail is the recording name of Johnny Lynch, the head of the superb Lost Map label, which is responsible for some of the best Scottish releases of recent times. Secret Soundz Vol 1 &2 is a compilation of  Secret Soundz Vol 1 (originally released on Fence Records) and Seecret Soundz Vol 2 (which came out on Lost Map)  and was released on 9 June via Moshi Moshi. It's a record of remarkable beauty and is one that you simply to have to get your hands on.


There is no way to accurately pigeonhole the sound of The Pictish Trail. The album at times will remind you of Kraftwerk's bleeps and beeps, Hot Chip in their Coming On Strong era and even Sebadoh in places although maybe that's just me. Both Volume 1 and Volume 2 are stuffed full of melodies and hooks that most bands would kill for and every listen to the albums reveals something new and delightful. Picking standout tracks seems unfair but if you're going to drop by for a casual listen check out All I Own and Words Fail Me Now from Vol 1 and Wait Until, Michael Rocket and Long In The Tooth from Vol 2. The latter seems to be haunted by the ghost of Vince Clarke in places and may well be one of the best electronic tracks I've heard this year.

All in all, Secret Soundz Vol 1 & 2 is a truly marvellous album. You really should hear it


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