The B of the Bang

Review: The B Of The Bang
by Marcus Kernohan • Jun 6, 2009 • Album reviews • Comments •
Genres: alternative, anti-folk, grunge


The B Of The Bang are difficult to pin down for even a moment. Writing about Beginning. Middle. End, the debut album from the Portsmouth collective, often feels like shooting at a moving target. Every song seems determined to be distinct from every other: indeed, the only constant seems to be vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Christopher Whitear’s rich baritone.
Beginning. Middle. End. is an album in the best spirit of experimentation. It’s nearly impossible to work out how you move so quickly from “Alaska”’s epic guitar melody to the swinging piano and jazz bassline of “Alfred, Light the Fires”, yet it works almost flawlessly.
Without diluting their sound or stumbling into inconsistency, the band dabble in an impressively wide range of styles, from the brooding gothic-orchestral feel of “(We Used To Draw) Treasure Maps” to the twanging folk guitar and mournful harmonica of “Little Bean”, capably blended with some very elegant songwriting.
The result is a record that sounds incredibly polished: grand, sweeping melodies and compellingly dark interludes. Whitear channels the spirits of great frontmen from Nick Cave to Neil Hannon, and does so with considerable class and an incredibly powerful voice. Listening to Beginning. Middle. End. is a rare (if uniquely intense and at times unsettling) pleasure.
Rating:  
“Beginning. Middle. End.” is released on Monday (6th June) on Jelly Maid Music. - Stereokill

The B Of The Bang/Beginning Middle EndStunning debut by former PS demo faves who mix fragile folk with deliciously evil baroque rock & roll.

Held together by singer Wit's doomy baritone, they excel at everything from the simple bounce of Dolores to The Making Of - the sound of Will Oldham's country as sung by Scott Walker.

Gorgeously textured, the likes of the achingly beautiful Light The Fires are just too good to be neglected. 9/10

- Teletext

by Mark

It's a rare thing to be able to listen to something deemed as easy listening, and yet feel a bowel voidingly disturbing presence. Radiohead making love to Sigur Rós is the best way to describe the sensation that is listening to this album, but The B Of The Bang sound nothing like either of the above artists. It's easy enough to pick out of the odd influence, but the over all sound is something very special. Just when you think you have the album sussed 'Dolores' kicks in, a (sort of) straight forward track with amusing and intensionally sloppy lyrics. 'Desire Lines' then throws you off the trail even further. If anyone has ever heard 'Diana' by Comus, imagine that, but replace the terrifying psychedelic sound with a soothing one. Anyone who can find a single flaw with Beginning. Middle. End. deserves to be taken away by the men in white coats, this album is nothing short of a goddamn triumph.

Rating 10 out of 10:



- Rock Pulse

...One of the South Coast’s most exciting young acts, these guys have a knack for surprising their audiences. Lead singer Wit’s vocals sift hauntingly across a cornucopia of songs that veer from Radiohead -esque alt.Rock to haunting solo numbers ..." Subba Cultcha - Subba Cultcha

...imagine Broken Records invading the soul of Neil Hannon out of the Divine Comedy and driving the Duke Special out...rather special..." 17 Seconds - 17 Seconds

...loosely held together as a three-piece, TBOTB is really the work of a young man who calls himself Wit. And Wit happens to have a voice from heaven. Reminiscent of Geneva's finest moments and laced with a gothic, Interpol-style moodiness, this is a gorgeous listen. Meandering electronics suggest that there are many more avenues to explore but, for now, this is all you need..." Planet Sound - Planet Sound

"…marvellous and atmospheric music combining darkness and beauty…" Breaking the Waves Fanzine" - Breaking More Waves Blogspot

..Take Nu folk, a broodingly dark soundscape and a Jim Morrison-style baritone, shove it all in a blender, and you’ll get this sublime track. It may be hard to pigeonhole, but it's even harder to shake out of your mind once it's finished - we like... - Artrocker

...Like British Sea Power gone Wicker Man, the PS demo faves launch with a sombre Scott Walker vocal and deliciously evil waltz. Superb stuff... - Planet Sound

..what 80s Matchbox B-Line disaster would sound like if they were an indie-folk band. it all works rather well... - Whisperin and Hollerin