CD: Rock review: Late of the Pier, Fantasy Black Channel (original) (raw)

Fantasy Black Channel is the most thrilling British debut of the year for its spirit of invention, its surfeit of ideas and its ear for a good tune. The Castle Donington four-piece may be young pups but they reference prog, heavy metal, Roxy Music, Blur, Aphex Twin and Gary Numan - often all in the same song. Bathroom Gurgle begins as synth-pop, but after two minutes it suddenly bursts into falsetto spandex rock. Then it shifts genre and tempo again, as versatile singer Samuel Dust yelps: "Put your hands on your waistline and shift your body to the bassline." Every time you play this album, you'll find a new favourite song, riff or wayward moment.