“Shatner, like their famous namesake, are a bit kitsch and technically past their sell-by date.” So begins the bio for Leeds indie act Shatner, who, over the years, have established a solid reputation as purveyors of ‘ambitious multi-layered guitar pop.’ What these seemingly negative traits actually translate as is a collection of jangly indie pop of a distinctly vintage style: crisp, clean little ditties, harmonious melodies succinctly packed into 3-minute nuggets and it seems highly likely their name also makes a nod to another legendary indie act from Leeds, The Wedding Present.
Lyrically, it’s perhaps not surprising there’s a strong sci-fi bent to ‘Wow Signal’, swerving and hopping deftly between the flippant and the overtly nerdy. There’s an almost 60s, Byrds-like feel to ‘Double Helix’, which contrasts with the more overtly Northern English ‘You Shaped Space’ with its downbeat lyrics which contrast with the breezy chorus. ‘Spaceships and Stuff’ stands favourable comparisons with the B-52s, thanks in no small part to the backing vocals courtesy of ‘Planet’ Claire Gibbons and Sarah Niven. The sturdy groove of ‘Betelgeuse’ finds the band exploring terrain touched by the likes of Gang of Four before swerving into James Bond territory.
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It might not be exactly out of this world but it’s a nifty piece of work.
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