Salako –
‘The Story of Our Life So Far’ (Tablature)
(reviewed Nov '04)
Older readers might remember Salako, signed on the strength of a demo to Jeepster Records. Their two albums were packed with a variety of songs - and dashed-off experiments – which in their prolific and gentle folk-pop way would put other bands to shame. Before the label went bankrupt, it was also home to Belle & Sebastian and Snow Patrol. Now both of those bands, through one thing or another, are hanging out with megastars and playing arenas. Salako? They’re still playing in Hull... the most recent sets I’ve seen have been more rock-oriented, and at times it seems that when they try to beef their sound up, it’s merely over-egged, and that’s not an appetising metaphor.
The changes are that, of the old line-up, only the drummer and frontman remain, but it’s meant James singing many of these tracks around his city for years, and very well-crafted they are. His subjects are quietly pondered and nicely concluded, a rare thing in modern song (“I’d rather sit at home and read.”) ‘In Hope You Keep Us Close’ is too good to be as stream-of consciousness as its themes suggest: the irrelevance of killing bees, the nobility of humble workshops, the boredom of punk. It all flows along through its tangents like Stephen Malkmus making more sense than normal, with building-block-rocking beats in the background. For most of this album, Salako’s aim is modest: after quietly rocking opener ‘Seasons’, there’s no need for a big rock chorus, just some slight Super Furry psychedelia, Beatle-esque orchestration, the odd Spiral Stairs-style solo and those picturesque lyrics. There’s a weird jam with a crap title (‘We’) which sounds like ‘Lazarus’ by the Boo Radleys, but as a whole the album is impressive and calming: with such bands namechecked (yeah Pavement) it’s evident they might’ve crafted a classic British pop album. It’s defiantly whimsical (“a fly in my soup”) but it should go down perfectly with fans of the Delgados, Gorky’s or Yo La Tengo. Or even of the Lightning Seeds.
And to explain Salako’s wilful personality, their wish to follow their own ends? They’re “in splendid isolation,” one song puts it, ‘Hull’s too Good for England’…
