The Flies - 'The Flies' (No Carbon) Released 04/06/07

Former Spiritualized bass player and ex Lupine Howl lead singer Sean Cook is back with his latest musical menagerie. The Flies began in 2005 as a studio project with Sean set to provide vocals for Bristol based producers for hire The Insects (aka Bob Locke and Tim Norfolk who notably wrote ‘Karma Coma’ and ‘Euro Child’ for fellow Bristolians Massive Attack). One thing lead to another and The Insects quickly developed wings and turned into The Flies. Two years after their initial encounter The Flies are set to release a self-titled, download only mini album… less a musical vision, more a statement of what’s to come.

Dark, dirty, drugged and downright sexy ‘The Flies’ manage to walk a very thin line between tried and tested nights of mid-nineties house party excess’ and an incredible talent to draw a very relevant present into a fast approaching future. Beginning with the intoxicated ‘All Too Human’ Cook is in danger of either falling asleep on his microphone or letting his slightly slurred and impaired vocal get the better of him. But it doesn’t happen and therein lays the beauty of remembering the nineties and all the purple haze paraphernalia that goes with it. Reminiscent in parts of an early Primal Scream, Cook et al construct a solid reference point to build on and return to as and when they please, sometimes at leisure others with insistence and with all the visual stylistics of an urban Polaroid memory board.

Dark and moody yet by no means off putting, inner-city life makes way for the swirling melodies that encompass ‘The Lord Of The Flies’. It’s a different style, a different way of listening, observing and feeling the music but it’s not a get out clause for the looming and unabashed menacing nature of the albums opener. It’s more a gradual showcasing of this extremely gifted trio’s undoubted talents and with a producers eye firmly on the albums overall sound it’s a justified evolution. Love them or hate them track number three is a cover and by no means an easy one to pull off. Originally by The Rolling Stones, ‘Ruby Tuesday’ is a wistful ballad about a groupie / ex-girlfriend of Mr Rock ‘n’ Roll himself Keith Richards. True to the original, The Flies reworking of this timeless classic, remains melancholy and reflective but again and more importantly goes far in showcasing Cook’s vocal ability…either that or said vocalist has recently lost a close friend called Ruby and has subsequently snorted her ashes...but that’s doubtful.

As ‘The Flies’ develop there’s more soaring guitars and pained vocals, sometimes to the point of annoyance but Locke and Norfolk are adept and astute enough to realise that in order to progress as producers and as a newly formed band they need an edge and again it’s a very thin line to tread, maintaining artistic integrity and not spreading themselves too thinly. This is achieved with relative simplicity through their expertise and familiarity with electronica and trip hop. The instances are more subtle than they are obvious but are there none the less to sharpen an already serrated edge in the process setting ‘The Flies’ apart noticeably enough from their peers. Having dealt with the pensive side of their collective personas, ‘In This World’ and the epic ‘Harmonica’ bring them back down to earth with a deserving, decisive and obligating thump.

There’s an undeniable staunchness throughout the album and one that is rewarded with unquestionable originality and painless ease. This self titled gem is a huge triumph for The Flies and one that will no doubt silence the unbelievers.