Bogland. Nouveau Vélo

And another alternative rock band from Amsterdam, in The Netherlands. What is it they have in the water over there? Perceivably it is dance, beats, EDM, rap and trance that is going on in this country (not on this blog, obviously), in the underground young people are playing guitars, bass, drums and sometimes a keyboard to boot. Nouveau Vélo is a nice addition to the row of bands that have reached me in the past few years.

This band can be labelled in the category alternative rock with a clear sound and a knack for pop melodies. Often a nice place to be in my book. Whether the tempo is higher or slower the clearness of the sound is always the basis. The influences can go back all the way to Dion & the Belmonts or Del Shannon and everything in between 1962 and 2020 where a good pop song based on guitar playing is concerned. On the one hand The Cure is always close by but Nouveau Vélo doesn't let itself fall into that early 80s doom trap that easily. For that there's too much light let into Bogland. No risk of being sucked into the bog here.

A crisp snare drum accompanies the opening and title song Bogland. Start listening more closely and several components reveal themselves. A bass that supports the song by playing little melodies over and over. The clear guitar is the most ear-catching instrument for most of the song(s). Not so much playing rhythm as a repetitive melodic lines. Yes, The Byrds and R.E.M. style. In between there is a very elementary piano, more single note than a chord. Over this all a second guitar vacuums the space and fills all the holes in the sound. All the singer has to do is sing, but I'm almost of mind to state that the voice is just an addition, not the main feature of the song.

This doesn't change in song number two. 'Matryoska' speeds up the tempo, female harmony vocals are added. The clear, open sound remains. It is easy to state that Nouveau Vélo is a typical Excelsior band and yes, I can along with this statement up to some extend. Because of that high, crisp sound Nouveau Vélo does create its own sound. And of course it is possible to point to a host of bands having (had) this sound. I like it here on Bogland, where the band's previous records could not impress me. Something has changed since 2017.

Without sounding retro for a moment, the band weaves the past into its songs. So just as easily I hear faint traces of The Passions' 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star' as R.E.M. in 'Shackles'. The 10s enter in 'Statue', that would have been one of the best songs of The Maccabees. The spaciousness in the mix gives both songs a modernness that fits a band playing in the 20s. In doing so Bogland adds to past experiences not only by tickling an old fancy but by providing new songs that are nice to know and have. Rolf Hupkes, Bart Haverkort and Niek Leenders clearly are on to something. Incorporate close to 60 years of popular music and you have Bogland.

Wo.

You can buy Bogland here:

https://shop.excelsior-recordings.com/products/nouveau-velo-bogland

or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g