Yeti – ‘One Eye On The Banquet’ (Cargo) Released 30/10/06

by Lee Glynn
Friday, October 27, 2006

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Enter John Hassalls “oh shit I’m not in the Libertines anymore so I better make a band up” last ditch attempt to keep his hand in the music industry release ‘One Eye On The Banquet’. An EP full of 60’s Brit-pop psychadelica riffs and Small Faces musical clones.

Yeti’s first release since Hassall was overlooked by Barat for his pub rock band, ‘One Eye On The Banquet’ does not instill confidence in a listener that this quickly formed live act will be around for very long, much less have the lastability and songwriting prowess of the bands they so try to emulate with this release, but this EP has got some charm to it that will help you get over the fact that you spent a fiver to purchase it in the hope that there may be some Lib-esque tunage.
‘The Last Time You Go’ has that unmistakably Libertines Guitar sound that we all have come to love (or hate) mixed in with a typically session musician sound that makes the band come off like a bunch of middle aged pub entertainers. Not ones to shy away from their influences it is clear very quickly that they loved the ‘Help’ album a little too much. ‘Moneygod’ is a flamenco tinged epic of miniature proportions that could sound good yet is let down by the clean goody-two-shoes production qualities on display here. Yeti have the ability to sound decent here but their Beatles-in-suits era throwbacks will fall on unimpressed ears if tracks like these and the abysmal ‘Song For The Dead’ are all the band is about.

Yet as promised there are a couple of tracks that will rouse some kind of toe tapping. ‘Magpie Blues’ is a bluesy rock n’ roll acoustic bust up that hints at a band unclear as to the direction they want to take their sound, but clears the cobwebs off this release. ‘Insect-Eating Man’ is a shameful Small Faces clone but is cheeky enough to get away with it’s head held high as Hassall’s posh stiff upper lip vocals mixed with quirky lyrics about eating bugs backed up with cutesy pie guitars is quite simply dashing. Overall this is an EP to test the water before Yeti unleash a debut album upon us, showcasing their influences and mixed talent as musicians. Let’s just hope the songwriting gets a damn sight better.

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Just a small clarification, Yeti had been organized before the Libertines broke up, so to call it a last ditch effort is unfair to Hassall and company. A problem that has plagued all reviews for Babyshambles, DPT, and Yeti is that people expect/want all of these bands to sound like the Libertines. The comparisons aren’t warranted in this case with Yeti choosing a 60s sound. Give the credit that’s due. They aren’t trying to be the Libs, so don’t expect them to be.
~ by looneyluna | Send Message |
It is also clear that this reviewer has no idea what they are talking about... they clearly think that John writes all the songs when two of the ones referenced - Last Time You Go and Insect Eating Man are actually written by Harmony Williams who also takes lead vocals on them, too. the Libertines references are so boring now. this EP is a fine piece of work.
~ by lucyinthesky | Send Message |
Hear hear, well said looney luna! The libertines had such a massive impact on music it would be hard for anyone to follow that up. Plus Yeti are trying to champion a style that isnt exactly fashionable at the moment which is bound to be tough work. Wait until you see them live! They are brilliant.
~ by strawberrygirl | Send Message |
To my shame i’ve never actually heard the small faces, i was actually going for Coward, but i didn’t realise he was a small faces imitator. I’ll do better research next time! I suppose i was kinda hoping to get away with my stuff by singing a million times better than Carl and Pete, but I realise this is not enough, and I’ll work on better song writing in the future (if we have one) I promise. Harmony x
~ by Harmony Williams | Send Message |
Having given this EP a few listens I find this review surprising. Which guitar sound on the record is unmistakenly Libertine? The only track that resembles the Libs is Insect-Eating Man, and even that is as you say more Small Faces than Pete Doherty. Moneygod and Song For The Dead are well crafted if not expertly executed songs, and contrary to your opinion I actually find Magpie Blues got a bit boring after a few listens.
~ by sammydavis | Send Message |