Horse Guards Parade 'EP' (Download from iTunes) By Nick Quantrill

Formed by former Salako front-man, James Waudby, Horse Guards Parade are one of Hull's hidden treasures. Describing themselves as 'psychedelic anti-folk', this debut EP is, as you might expect, a mixed bag of sounds and ideas. Lead track, As The Plane Lifted Its Wheels is a galloping number which sounds like the soundtrack to a fight in an old country and western movie.

Coming on as a more manic Super Furry Animals, It's the Smell of Grief in Your Teeth moves things back into more familiar territory before it turns decidedly weird again on Her Scabby Knees Hold Her Disease, an ode to the owner of the local abattoir. The EP closes with This City's on Fire, which surely ranks as one of Waudby's finest. Opening with stark acoustic guitar and vocals, it builds to a bittersweet pay-off that is to be savoured. Low key and understated, Horse Guards Parade are a little different to the norm but all the better for it. You can't disguise well written songs, and this inventive EP shows they have plenty to share.

www.myspace.com/horseguardsparade

Copyright © Nick Quantrill 2009

thisisUll.com Featured Writer Nick Quantrill
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