Released in 2009 by Captured Tracks, the debut release from Repairs follows a monotonal sound through a brief-but-enjoyable experience.
Launched as a cassette, and later put online for download (with an extra track, mind), this eponymous EP documents the foundation of Repairs. Droning keyboards, murmured vocals and repeated percussion is the order of the day on Repairs. Opening with ‘Lottery’, we hear a persistent drum pattern pave way for a fuzzy, unrefined organ; the almost caveman-like vocals eventually sitting on top, muted and disaffected. A similar vocal delivery is continued through the other tracks, regardless of the fact that Repairs operate with three singers – the vocals are treated on the same level, sonically, as the drums and the keyboards are. It makes me wonder differently this EP could have been if mixed with a general rock/pop mindset. No where near as interesting or mood-inducing, one would imagine.
Each track hovers around the 3 minute mark, making for a relatively short listen, but this fits the music of Repairs well. Nothing overstays its welcome. The bonus track from the downloadable form of the EP, ‘Glass Eyes’, is a repetitive and firmly structured song with almost hypnotic qualities.
Repairs leaves a far greater impression on the listener at increased volumes than a cursory listen would suggest. These are sonically-intriguing minimalist pop songs, which benefit from your complete attention and consumption. Repairs have created a great debut, which only suggests growth and bigger things to come.
More recently, a few videos have surfaced online courtesy of Fuck Your Scene, showing off new live tracks. ‘Down In The Well’ creeps into noise territory, with squalls of intermittent feedback puncturing the track, first surprisingly, and then surprisingly rhythmically. Vocally, this is more aggressive than anything from the cassette, but it is never too harsh and ill-fitting. In the standout of these live tracks, ‘Grey Skies’, the singer’s voice attempts to mirror the doom-conjuring synth stabs. This track especially feels far more expanded and immediate then the earlier recorded songs. These tracks, alongside 'Dead Joe', reveal a steady forward movement for Repairs. The core drone and consistent percussion is still there, but these new tracks feel more accessible and hold a longer lasting appeal - and they are all the better for it.
i see talent!
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