After a succession of acclaimed UK singles, London’s Hatcham Social have finally birthed their full length debut, a gloriously moody addition to their canon. Following in the tradition of joyfully melancholic mope fiends like Echo & the Bunnymen, Lloyd Cole and Orange Juice, Hatcham Social crafts an incredibly nuanced sound from the improbable density of shoegaze, the dour jangle of ’80s indie pop and the swaggering pulse of ’60s beat pop.
Tunnel’s opener, “Crocodile,” offers up a pummeling rhythm section and insistent guitar reminiscent of vintage Ian McCullough, an approach they subsequently dirty up with a new wave dissonance on the chaotic “I Can’t Cure My Pure Evil.” Elsewhere, “Sidewinder” churns out melodic sheets of noise like a poppy version of Jesus and Mary Chain, and “Hypnotize Terrible Eyes” and “Give Me the Gift” fold all of Hatcham Social’s gifts into a compelling simplicity that U2 would love to revisit. Missing from the American version of Tunnel is Hatcham Social’s version of “Jabberwocky,” where vocalist/guitarist Toby Kidd recites the Lewis Carroll classic while he, bassist David Fineberg and drummer Finn Kidd create a melodious, jittery cacophony underneath, creating the illusion of an East London Brian Eno fronting Blue Aeroplanes; it’s worth seeking out on-line.
While Hatcham Social is far from abrasive, there is a somewhat unsettling quality to Tunnel that may be off-putting to those who prefer a sweeter sound. But for those who appreciate a bitter jolt of ultracaffeinated jangle with their guitar pop, Hatcham Social just may be the next little thing.
--Brian Baker [July 27, 2009]
