The Futureheads - 'Decent Days And Nights Re-mixes and B-sides'

 

Formed almost five years ago, The Futureheads draw on an eclectic mix of post-punk influences. Most noticeably in their recent single 'Decent Days And Nights' are classic bands Talking Heads, XTC and The Jam.  Following the mainstream success from their April release of Kate Bush’s 'Hounds Of Love', the ‘Heads re-release of last years DDAN (previously charting at number 26 last August) looks a healthy contender for some serious chart assault. 

The song has equal driving force of the Jam’s debut album 'In The City', with jagged, eccentric guitars thrown in for good measure.  Containing schizophrenic time signatures, the single has been hailed as Total Guitar magazine’s “riff of the month”.  A specially released CD comprising no less than five remixes and three b-sides demands some scrutiny, offering a collection of versions boasting hip hop, electronica, techno and dance treatments.  Most electrifying of the mixes are those delivered by Max Tundra, DJ Naughty and Phones Bad Acid. 

'Tundra' explores the more sinister effects of the simple piano delivered chord sequences, creating that uneasy shiver down the spine that you get only when hearing a grown up song given the nursery rhyme treatment.  The plinky plonky xylophone sets an un-nerving context to a song better accompanied by a faster, dirtier feel, but this experimentation works on a darker level.  DJ Naughty turns out a techno mix, complete with pounding bass feeding into electronic beats.  You can visualise the fragmented glimpses of pulsating bodies in a dingy club as this cracker of a remix explodes.  Phones' Bad Acid remix will have even the hardcore bodypoppers tapping their toes to this slick version, and Gigwise did have to stop and test the CD player for a malfunction after a while as the stop/start skipping effect seemed to surpass even the usual disjointed articulation offerings.  Retaining the original vocal arrangement and over dubbing with a synth emphasis, this track has all the makings of a smokey underground club classic.

B-side 'Appreciate The Effort' could be played during any relationship breakup, as the ‘heads semi snarl in their defence that “you’re a hindrance to my health”, turning the accusations of being lazy, unappreciative partners to snap: “I would say you don’t appreciate the effort”.  You can feel the sarcasm.  The clean, abrupt ending rings with all the familiarity of the long silent sulks at the end of an argument. The choral call and response approach taken in B side 'Banquo' sits in between the hard but simple strumming that accompanies the vocals as they gather momentum.  This promising song feels like it’s constantly building up to something it just falls short of delivering, and The Futureheads attempts at a moodier progression fall on deaf drum beats.

Altogether, this eight track offering is a fun little disc, full of the usual re-mixing tricks of the trade.  With highlights of originality peeking out in particular during 'Appreciate The Effort', and the Tundra remix, vocalist Barry Hyde ensures the trademark stamp of the ‘heads doesn’t get too lost in the hands of the over excited nob twiddling producers.