Last Month The Velvet Hands returned with their latest single ‘Star’. After a string of great garage singles, could they advance their sound with brass arranger Simon Dobson (Architects) stepping into the studio?
There was no call for a ‘Kid A’ reinvention this early in their careers. Gigs were selling out and their buzz was growing. With two headline shows this bank holiday Monday, they look set to continue this form. What Dobson has added is, a splash of musicality to broaden their garage horizons. Subtly done, it keeps visions of Keith Richards and Albert Hammond Jnr on guitars whilst adding the bombast of Shed Seven’s ‘Maximum High’.
It goes to show what a bit of creative thinking in the studio can be done on small budgets. One only hopes that they get their chance of the grandiose ten years in like ‘Urban Hymns’ or ‘Ladies and Gentleman We Are Floating in Space’.
*image courtesy of Harvey Williams-Fairley