The Bevis Frond - The Leaving Of London - Woronzow - WOO58

A quarter of a century ago, Nick Saloman's home recordings as The Bevis Frond revivified then forgotten forms, three minute acid-pop nuggets bleeding into twenty minute guitar freak-outs.
A Walthamstow Hendrix, wet with drizzle, Saloman brokered a nostalgic negotiation with the psychedelic sounds of his Sixties childhood. The Leaving Of London, his first album since quitting the city seven years ago, retains Saloman's plaintively naturalistic sentiment and trademark, melodically dissonant, solos.
Stupid Circle and Heavy Hand both embody his quietly genre-defying methods, with propulsive riffs, recalling the Cobain-canonised Portland punks The Wipers, sweetened by wide-eyed hippy harmonies.

(30/10/11)