This is the debut album by Tchotchke who are Anastasia, Eva and Emily three friends from New York who have spent the last year or so, since they formed, opening for among others Adam Green and The Lemon Twigs, the latter of whom produced the album.
The album opens with Ronnie, that is about a very different kind of Ronnie to the one The Renee's were singing about, on their re-issue earlier in the year, as this is not about Skinheads. As she has lost her heart to Ronnie who is the coolest girl they know, who just has them in awe of her.
You'll Remember Me makes clear that once you've been friends with Tchotchke you will never forget the experience, no matter what happens to you later. Like the rest of the album this has an indie easy listening style feel that at times jars nicely with the lyrical content.
Dizzy has the sound of an old Cinema organ and a decent beat as they sing about how much you make them feel, as they go Dizzy and weak at the knees for you.
Come On, Sean has a string laden backing, as she sings salaciously about Sean's problem, he's in need of a blue pill or two, this sounds like Slapp Happy circa Everybody's Slimming with a slight Brechtian cabaret edge to it.
What Should I Do? Is asking questions that could be a follow on from Sean's problems as she decides what to do to get Sean to live up to her expectations, or to just find a more able lover instead, with some delicious strings as someone makes her go weak. The brass section weaving through the backing vocals are wondrous.
Don't Hang Up On Me takes us into that old school world, where you had phone calls with the ones you lust after, rather than texts, as this melodrama unfolds over a tune that reminds me of Lyndsey De Paul, whatever you do don't press stop on this song or hang up on them.
Wish You Were A Girl isn't a reply to Wasted Youth's classic Wish I Was A Girl, as this has a far less desperate feel to it. Gossamer vocals with a sweet backing, as this song of friendship and sensitivities unfolds.
Oh Sweetheart, Come has whispered in your ears words of encouragement to help make sure the sweetheart does as they have been Instructed over a sophisticated almost Manhattan Transfer style backing.
Longing Delights is a full-on fantasy for the one they wished would love them, as they tell us what someone is asking them to do to satisfy those Longings.
Remember Me (Bonus Track) slows the song down, as they tell you that no matter what you'll always remember them, as the organ swells and the drums go off like cannons.
Find out more at https://tchotchketheband.com/ https://tchotchke.bandcamp.com/album/tchotchke https://www.facebook.com/tchotchketheband/ https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/tchotchke https://orgmusic.com/products/tchotchobl-lp
