ZapTown

Fresh Legs
Julian EP
SoTones Records
Rating: 4 out of 5

Links:

Fresh Legs on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thosefreshlegs
SoTones Records: http://www.sotones.co.uk/index.php

Fresh Legs is a wonderfully frenetic indie/grrl-pop group sneaking its way in from the UK like mad cow disease in McDonald’s food. They bring to mind what  Debbie Harry, Th’ Faith Healers UK, and Siouxsie and the Banshees would sound like if they were fans of Butch Vig and just started putting albums out in the late 2000s. Fresh Legs are expertly named- their music is bouncy, energetic, sleek, and a bit sassy. Bright, clean chords, chunky power chords, powerful female vocals with strong shouting male vocals, very tight drums. Sounds like a gem already.

The tracks on the Julian EP are endearing and abrupt, and altogether fun. The track “Sexy So Sexy” is a perfect
example. Starting out with in-your-face balls-out guitar progression and frantic hi-hats on 16^th beats. After establishing the mood, the gears shift a bit and the second guitar plays the melody on the 8s, and breaks down to vocals and guitar, then picks back up with the whole ensemble. Great, great transitions. Passionate vocals for the lead with shouty vocals for back ups. I could see the aging hipsters in a dance hall getting trampled for douchebag dancing while the younger kids tear.shit.up. At lease I hope this is what happens. The track” Organs Black” even throws a slight taste of upstroke ska guitar as well. Also bright and poppy, with some driving distorted guitar chords to bring back some late-90s ska punk energy.

Very highly recommended listening if you like power pop from across the lake.

RIYL: The Walkmen, Killers, Th’ Faith Healers UK, and Siouxsie and the Banshees.

 Fresh Legs - Julian (from the "Julian EP"): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download