Phosphene. Taymir

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone following this blog already had the chance to meet Taymir. A few weeks back the single of this new band full of youngsters featured here and fast became the best read blogpost this month. Since I've been listening to the debut album Phosphene. The first impressions I had, were confirmed with each new spin. Phosphese is a winner.

Youthful enthusiasm is coupled to a keen sense of melody and harmonies. Taymir is stepping into a tradition, giving its own flavour. The harmonies of The Beatles are matched with the early punky singles of The Kinks, the aahs and oohs of punk and Kaiser Chiefs are all over the place. The attack of Go Back to the Zoo is matched with the singing of Sunday Sun, to remain in the polder. If you listen to 'Afternoon', you'll know exactly what I mean. The hard driven guitar stops and starts. The rhythm has a strong pace. The singing is all melody, harmony and finding the perfect pitch between the voices and succeeding. The comparisons made here are quite accurate. 'I do I do' is a The Beatles emulation, with a few modern features around the "ooh" that every The Beatles fan recognises immediately, "from me to you"? Just another small hint Taymir drops here.

To be honest, I am just about as enthusiastic about Phosphene as I was last year when the first two EPs of Sunday Sun were released. Taymir is a little louder, but is just as deeply immersed in the 60s. It is here that the musical trip of Taymir starts and ends circa 50 years later. Irish band The Strypes do the same, a little more in the garage rock direction. It must be something in the water lately. Taymir managed to find some interesting guitar lines supporting verses of songs, before using dynamics in the choruses. Listen how they let it go while singing "now" in 'Taymir'. In very different ways, but each time maximizing the notes involved. 'Taymir' is the longest song on the album and worth it all the way. The chorus in 'All we know' is nearing heaven. There's no other description. A little Cream influence in 'What would you say'? Why not.

What the band really managed well, is creating a sense of urgency. About half of the songs clock in at just over 2.00 minutes. A point is made, the recording button on the console pushed in to stop the tape/digits.

Taymir is not there yet. This is a beginning for a couple of young guys from The Hague. A first test, the first bunch of songs. A first album that contains a few great songs, some fine ones. I'm definitely interested to hear more later. But first, I plan to see the band live later this year. Can't wait to be a part of that. So I better stop typing here. Point made I guess.

Wo.

You can listen to 'AAAH' here.