After 2003’s debut album "Ways To Clear A Dancefloor", Johnny Poindexter return with a sneak preview of their new album “PlaceYour Trust In Empty Spaces” (released late September) in the form of the “One Of Three” EP.
Having modified their line-up and changed musical direction, Johnny Poindexter are now settled and comprise Gavin Miller (guitar), Simon Glacken (keyboards), Nigel Aldred (bass) and Andy Harvey (drums), plus frontman Christopher Rose.
This latter's vocals on “We Meet By Accident”, is so new wave it hurts and easily washes over you without you thinking about it. “Place Your Trust in Empty Spaces” continues in this vein, adding repetitive frazzled vocals, while “No One Gets Out Alive”comes with an undercurrent of sound that hints at similar explosions in sky and is understandably the new album's "big issue" title track.
“Empty Shores On Desolate Beaches” is a short track equally short on ideas: a tape recording sample which feeds into atmospheric guitars, mournful sounds and lacks the craft or focus to be other than filler.
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"Madeline”is an improvement. It has a twinkly wind up toy intro, then slowly builds with the sample reversing half way through, adding ghostly angel chorus vocals interlaced with subtle background guitars. Guest Britt Brady's vocals drift in and out, climaxing in the “slow down” repeat making it into perfect floating panoramic paranoia.
Four tracks, then, of a similar feel from a new wave band who quite literally drift away like a paler version of the dreamily sinister wallowing pioneered by Mogwai and Godspeed You Black Emperor. Johnny Poindexter are appreciative of their influences but never destined to reach their heroes' individualistic heights.
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