Label: Output Format: 2CD
With this double CD collection of singles and compilation appearances, Fridge reveal their remarkable emergence over the last year or so as a pretty good answer to the flood of American and German post-rock acts, without resorting to pastiche or fitting particularly into the straitjacket of what is rapidly becoming a dismissive generic label. Generally far better organized and more satisfying than their debut album Ceefax, Sevens and Twelves holds so much of interest its sheer volume could become a bit of a burden in itelf. With some tracks clocking in at ten to fifteen minutes, (including the opening Kosmische dub of “Anglepoised”), there’s a reason for the length and size of this record, even though the occasional longueur may entail reaching for the skip controls – though not it must be said the pleasingly ramshackle jam of “Jessica,” which draws pleasure from chaos quite nicely thank you..
That the band have recorded released five singles (including one split with Add N to X) in eleven months is fairly impressive – this is the perfect chance to catch up for those who missed out the first time. What counts for even more from Fridge is the lack of hipper-than-thou attitude which sours a lot of the electronica/rock crossover posse in Britain these days – live they come across a three blokes producing a groovy noise, though perhaps the attitude around is more of a big beat phenomenon created in the mind of the weekly music press than anything real. But enough rambling – Sevens And Twelves is a prime showcase for a band showing a hell of a lot of promise and have generally sidestepped the obvious comparisons to certain other bands who shall remain nameless, if only for reasons of boredom with the endless connections made to them by anyone encountering any other band who splice genres.
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