It only took 12 years but Toronto/Montreal garage rock duo the Leather Uppers finally have a sophomore release. Maybe more bands should wait so long to create successive albums if it means virtually flawless results like Bright Lights. Witty and randy, these 13 tracks are energised blasts of sexual sophistication that find Classy Craig Daniels and Groovy Greg Tymoshneko swapping guitar, drum and vocal duties whilst delivering two-minute shots of impressively tight lo-fi rocknroll. Its as if Tricky Woo replaced their fuzzy groove with ADD hyperactivity and Frank Blacks Come On Pilgrim-era high-pitched, swooping vocals. The majority of Bright Lights boasts intricate riffs played with simplicity and gusto, creating an atmosphere feeling just loose enough to have swagger but escape the jangly emptiness most duos never seem to overcome. Moderately surf rock influenced as well, the album constantly rotates between twang-y and thunderous, slinky and slamming almost within each song. An overall raucous and upbeat nature is as infectious as its overt love of the words "baby and "sexy, proving that anyone who can rip out four-chord shit disturbers such as "Scream If Youre High, "Say It In French and "Sexy Time, is justified in foregoing bass guitar for white trousers and silken ascots.
Why such a long wait between albums? Tymoshenko: Breaking up for eight years slowed things down considerably. We believe strongly in the old adage, "better 12 years later than never.
What sparked doing Bright Lights at this point in time? Realising we had enough new songs to make an album. We may not be able to save the world, but at least it will have a better soundtrack now.
Were these songs collected over the years or written recently? Everything was written in the last year or two. "Say It in French, "Bigger than a Breadbox and "Scream If Youre High were written in the studio when Goner told us the records running time was a little short. Far from filler, these turned out to be some of my favourites. "Sexy Wizard is a reprise from our first cassette. We thought the title and subject matter (love) fit in perfectly with Bright Lights.
You were a guitar/drums combo long before it came into vogue, but have received little credit for influencing that scene. How do you feel about the rash of duos that have come since your debut? Duos still arent the norm (and) I dont know if I want to see a world where they were. Any unconventional musical combination that makes people reconsider whats groovy is going to benefit everyone in the long run. Its mind expansion.
(Jagjaguwar/Outside)Why such a long wait between albums? Tymoshenko: Breaking up for eight years slowed things down considerably. We believe strongly in the old adage, "better 12 years later than never.
What sparked doing Bright Lights at this point in time? Realising we had enough new songs to make an album. We may not be able to save the world, but at least it will have a better soundtrack now.
Were these songs collected over the years or written recently? Everything was written in the last year or two. "Say It in French, "Bigger than a Breadbox and "Scream If Youre High were written in the studio when Goner told us the records running time was a little short. Far from filler, these turned out to be some of my favourites. "Sexy Wizard is a reprise from our first cassette. We thought the title and subject matter (love) fit in perfectly with Bright Lights.
You were a guitar/drums combo long before it came into vogue, but have received little credit for influencing that scene. How do you feel about the rash of duos that have come since your debut? Duos still arent the norm (and) I dont know if I want to see a world where they were. Any unconventional musical combination that makes people reconsider whats groovy is going to benefit everyone in the long run. Its mind expansion.