Shape And Resolution

Back in 2015/ 16 (and doesn't that seem like a distant world now?) I posted some songs from a Manchester based guitar band called Multiplier who hit the spot with a sweeping shoegaze/ soundtrack influenced sound and who then called it a day in 2017. Guitarist Phil Hartley moved on to a new project, him and a new singer/ songwriting partner, but that was scuppered by Covid, so he struck out again, making music in lockdown with the self- imposed deadline of writing, recording and releasing a new piece of music every seven days from mid- May. The resulting works have been gathered together into an album under the title Audio/ Visual and using the name Shape And Resolution. Phil's shoegaze and post- punk influences peak through, the shimmer of the guitars, the odd spiky solo and the wash of FX pedals, peppered across the songs that make up the Audio side but just as clear is the influence of TV and film soundtracks as well, the twang of John Barry and echoes of Robert Fripp on the visual side of the album along with the tape loops and washes of ambient sound. Album closer The End. Of Everything is a lovely way to finish it, the cinematic sweep of the music and in your mind's eye the credits rolling, the ending of a film you haven't watched yet.

It's on Bandcamp, a pay what you like/freebie deal. Well worth exploring.

Love You To Death

I've written about Manchester based band Multiplier before a couple of times here and here. They've recently signed a record deal and the first fruit of this is a new single, out last week. Love You To Death is a huge sounding song, dominated by Andy Gardner's vocals and sweeping strings. Some of their earlier songs were quite shoegazey, atmospheric and slowburning, others in a Chameleons vein. This is more direct- think the more epic Bunnymen songs, Doves widescreen northern rock.

Wait By The Gate

Earlier this year I posted an ep by Manchester based group Multiplier, three songs with widescreen guitars, songs somewhere in Elbow and Doves territory but also Manchester's lost sons The Chameleons, with some shoegaze too. They've had some radio exposure on BBC 6 and local stations and played with iLIKETRAINS, Six By Seven, Blossoms and The Woodentops. They have a double A side single out in October, and have gone straight for the jugular with a pair of songs that sound like they're ready to punch a hole in the speakers. Both tunes also sound like gig songs, dynamic and to be performed live in front of speaker stacks and under lights. Wait By The Gate is carried along by rolling drums and bass and a vocal that recalls Richard Ashcroft in his prime. Chasing Shadows sounds like it should playing over the closing titles of TV series, guitar heroics and all. The single will be on Bandcamp next month, in a pay what you want deal. There's something going on here, give them a go.

I just checked what I wrote last time and noticed that the last time I wrote about Multiplier I put a picture of Edie Sedgwick alongside them so I'm following suit today. She had a strong look.

Multiplier

I end up ignoring a lot of the unsolicited music submissions that come into my inbox- I don't have the time and it's not really what this blog is about. I got one a few weeks back which I didn't delete straight away and then a follow up email (which usually pisses me off but this time it did remind me to give them a listen). Multiplier are from Manchester, a four piece band, promoting their debut ep which contains three songs. This is the lead song, Choice.



They reference Doves, The Chameleons and shoegaze in their press release and that isn't too wide of the mark, especially with the guitar playing. The drumming reminds me of The Bunnymen's use of the tom toms and singer Andy Gardner has strong, deep voice. This widescreen British guitar music is pretty unfashionable at the moment- which makes it all the more appealing to me somehow. Multiplier seem a bit like a band who have pitched up at the wrong time and that's not a bad thing at all. You can get the mp3s at Bandcamp (pay what you like). Second song Heart Of Gold is my favourite right now, those guitars and backing vocals really hit the spot. Smithsy. Last song Acres is where the shoegaze shines through the early morning haze. Good stuff, a cut above and full of promise.