This writer must confess that he's still rather uneasy about this whole new breed of 'shoegaze' bands that appear to be amassing out there and even bringing about a critical reappraisal of the likes of Slowdive. The fact that of late there's even been a British event named Sonic Cathedral (Oh My God) to showcase a number of the frontrunners is enough to send out scary signals. Have sense people! We're still trying to live down the likes of The Catherine Wheel and Chapterhouse! Do we really need a contemporary bunch of similar underachievers? It'll happen if we let this become a fully-fledged movement, y'know.
Thankfully, Sweden's THE RADIO DEPT are probably good enough to avoid the worst of the cliches, even allowing for their penchant for the de rigeur guitar FX. The band's two previous classy EPS were charming and romantic and suggested that in frontman Johan Duncansson the Malmo collective had a frontman with a melodic taste to outstrip the pack. Debut album "Lesser Matters" then came along to consolidate and prove they could convince (for the most part anyway) over longer distances.
So third single "Ewan" is a pleasant way to end a frenetic first year for the sensitive Malmo boys. Actually based upon the mispronounciation of Johan's name when he lived in Scotland as a child rather than a homage to Ewan McGregor it's nonetheless recognisably dreamy and dense with a wash of New Order-ish keyboards as well as the expected guitar pedals to power it along. It's certainly as swirly and lovely as ever, though the DIY production and Per Blomgren's gate-slamming-in-a-gale snare sound do jar a little. The fact it pegs out under 2 minutes 30 also ensures that it's the sound of the dream fading slightly.
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As always with Johan and co, the B-sides are vehicles for experimentation. That's commendable in itself, but to be honest neither "Slottet" or "The Things That Went Wrong" are the greatest of shakes, and certainly not up there with the likes of "Peace Of Mind" from the previous EP. Both tracks see the return of the basic, cranky drum machine that adorned the first EP and the first is a nervous heartbeat, soundtrack-influenced instrumental, which recalls Damon Albarn's "Ordinary Decent Criminal" OST. It's alright, but ultimately goes nowhere slowly.
Finally, there's "The Things That Went Wrong". Stylistically, this is something of a departure as it's intimate, acoustic and wholly devoid of the squally FX we normally associate with Duncansson and co. For all that and it's pervading somnolent atmosphere, it's more of an exercise in mood rather than a good song per se and ultimately deserves to be tucked away as a flipside.
Still, overall "Ewan" is a likeable third EP which may only tentatively break new ground but does little to blot its' copybook either. The Radio Dept remain quietly in contention for 2005.
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