The Puddle - ‘On the Town’ from ‘Secret Holiday/ Victory Blues’
Opposite Sex- ‘La Rat’ from ‘Opposite Sex’
Quite why I did not pick up on New Zealand’s The Puddle before 2012 is beyond me. One of those strange but wholly understandable blind spots caused by a slight case of musical ADHD... Still, one of the positives is that I have thoroughly enjoyed becoming acquainted with them this year, and in particular with 'Secret Holiday/Victory Blues' set on the Fishrider label. Hugely reminiscent of Vic Godard, these songs could easily be from some long-lost Subway Sect album. And if that doesn’t make you want to investigate then frankly I fear for your sanity and your soul.
The ‘Secret Holiday/Victory Blues’ vinyl was made available in the UK by the previously mentioned Occultation label, and in partnership with Fishrider they unleashed the very wonderful Opposite Sex album. A fabulous slice of awkward angles and razorblades lurking in candyfloss, 'Opposite Sex' put me in mind of Look Blue Go Purple playing Pylon songs or of The Mekons flirting with The Raincoats eating chips in the rain in Leigh-On-Sea. Whatever, album opener ‘La Rat’ was a highlight not just of their eponymous album, but of the entire year.
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