Windsor For The Derby

Texas bands seem to have a weird affinity for UK rock, and WFTD offer a big clue with their moniker. Over 12 years and eight albums, their spiral sound frequently swept over early ’80s Factory records on into early ’90s shoegazing. On How We Lost this spiral touches down squarely, though the band’s modus operandi has been more about generating the atmosphere than aping the specifics of certain My Bloody Joy Divisions. Opener "Let Go” features a light but primal drum pattern and skeletal bass line straight out of Faith-era Cure, but the echoed vocals and reedy keyboards keep things from getting too mopey. Their willingness to go with a pop wash of guitars and la-la-las makes this their most consistently "up” album to date, reaching a sugar high on the Beach Boys "wheeeooo” harmonies of "Hold On.” One surprise that jumps these rails is "Forgotten,” an Americana acoustic song that reminds us which side of the Atlantic these lads are from. A couple of brief, spacey sound experiments aside, this is a quick and uncomplicated listen for those whose lives have lacked new Swervedriver or Pale Saints for too long.