Wakefield quartet The Ran-Tan Waltz aren't about trends and haircuts or selling themselves on how cool they are. Instead, they introduce themselves with a manifesto, and one I can identify with:
'We aim to make music that's personal and political. Commercial enterprise has stolen rock from its counter-culture origins and it no longer speaks for the people it should speak for. It's become an entertainment rather than an art. In the truest sense of the word we are a folk band, writing music about people and for people that are culturally, socially and politically aware.'
This three-track offering was recorded with the assistance of Steve Whitfield, renowned for his work producing, amongst others, The Cure, Shed Seven and. Terrorvision etc., thus blowing the band's £700 budget in a one go.
Still, it was worth it. These three tracks are far from slick, and aren't overtly commercial in either sound or sentiment. However, through the vehicle of these New Wave flavoured nuggets of brittle guitar and reverby drumming, The Ran-Tan Waltz convey a real sense of integrity. Sean Parker's vocal style is unashamedly unpolished as he delivers lyrics that express dissatisfaction and disaffection (and reference Allen Ginsberg's 'Howl' on 'Reputation in Ruins', a track that reminds me a little of the Pychedelic Furs in their early years). It works, because conformity and mainstream currents are complete anathema to the band's agenda, and smooth, compressed production values are all a part of the dominant 'style over substance' culture. I, for one, respect them for that, and I also really rate this release.
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The Ran Tan Waltz on MySpace
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