FEEL THE FUZZ – THEY ARE GUTTING A BODY OF WATER
Otherwise known by the much cuter-sounding acronym TAGABOW, They Are Gutting A Body Of Water have been called the saviours of shoegaze. Hailing from Philly, the band started off as a solo project of lead singer Douglas Dulgarian (of the House of Dulgarian, the first of his name). God, doesn't it just feel good to feel the fuzz again?
I recently picked up a copy of their first album for ATO Records, LOTTO. With no obvious A side, I preceded to play the album in the wrong order. Whilst still feeling incredibly fresh, there is something deeply nostalgic about TAGABOW's sound, whisking me off my feet back to sunny summers as a kid listening to Dinosaur Jr or Sonic Youth on a cheap CD player. But the slowed-down tempo now better suits my aging bones. Maybe, there is even a whiff of early Deftones in there? It could just be me. Just a whiff, mind, but a sniff.
On LOTTO, there is the classic, American speaking over the top of the guiter song in 'American Food'. This has to be a genre in and of itself. Think The Teenagers – Homecoming. Did you know this was a genre? As it's been so long, then it still works incredibly well. Maybe I've missed the talked-over track all this time!
When I flip the record to the first tracks, I am met with opener 'The Chase', followed by 'Sour Diesel'. Both of these tracks are of equal stature and sound. I can't pick a favourite, so I won't. But these are the standout tracks when it comes to the heavy fuzz that defines their sound.
As the record finishes, I can feel a sense of longing, as though I have heard it all before, but can't quite put my finger on that memory. This record will be played a fair bunch as the spring begins to dissipate and the grass outside begins to burn yellow. Make sure you do the same.
Grab a copy of LOTTO on vinyl or get on Bandcamp.
