being honest, I was speculative when I first heard of the band's reforming into absent parachute. I wasn't sure if this new name and stripped back style would work out any better than their old format. the awfully disturbing name in particular seemed to spell disaster - absent parachute? who WANTS that??
but as it turns out, despite some slightly dodgy early months (hello, Taco Paco), when I first heard the boys ripping through the modern behemoth that is cecilia go home, on a (probably) misty thursday afternoon in mu2, I felt a strange feeling inside me that shook my every fibre to its core.
I UNDERSTOOD absent parachute.
they were here to shake my hips.
they were here to turn my silence into a scream.
the first band, as it seemed, were far WORSE than the remake.
and now, we come to the eve of their first EP proper being released into the public realm. I've seen this band destroy countless stages, from the chaotic drunken mess of our gig with them last summer in james hobkirk's garden (ben played keyboards for them despite not knowing the chords; I sang on their pumped up kicks cover) right through to last month, seeing them headline the amp awards to the O2 academy's cavernous hall. their music sums up indie pop in a way few bands in this day and age do. musicians these days - ourselves at frenchgirls HQ included - seem to think that in order to be successful and "good", we have to experiment. not so with absent parachute. they are simple in the best sense of the words. what else do you actually need but bass, guitar, drums and a catchy chorus hook? my thoughts exactly. most bands try attempt some real fancy three-course meal into every one of their songs. absent parachute just serve you soup. but real fuckin good soup.
and I don't know about you, but I'd rather have a kickass soup than a shitty moussaka any day.
thd