Being a DJ in 2015 in OUTSIDELEFT

Two-Man Giant Squid
Two-Man Giant Squid
(Mint 400 Records)

Two-Man Giant Squid. That's such a great name. However, as you can see from the sartorially challenged band shot above, there are more than two of them, and none of them are squids. Shame. Brooklyn's finest have squeezed out two albums already, along with the wonderful single (included here) "I was a DJ in 2015" before finally getting round to doing what most bands do first - putting out a self titled album. Its that backwards approach and the sort of observational humour that we haven't seen since Pulp hung up their corduroy jackets that makes Two-Man Giant Squid jump out. Can a squid jump? I will need to ask the Outsideleft marine biology department and get back to you on that one. From the opener 'No Expectations' with its Fall-ish sneer, through the latest single 'Weird Recordings (you've got some)' to the jittery pulse of 'Don't Go To Snareworld' (don't worry, I wasn't planning to), the ghosts of Spiritualised/Spacemen 3 and other innovators pop up and down. Its all amazing stuff. Wearing it's influences and timeless at the same time, and such a buzz all the way.

Then there is that name of course. Great name. Great album. Great band. 'Great' is probably the best word for this. Their hyperbole filled Press Release describes it as a "boiling post-punk tug-of-war, where a self-destructive artist’s inner turmoil takes centre stage." Blimey. I can't disagree though. Its not all bashing you on the head though, there is light and shade, and White Stripes would be proud of a song like 'Room Full Of Ghosts'. By the time the rabble rousing 'Give and Take' gives way to the triumphant 'I was a DJ in 2015' you know this is a pretty special album.

Album cover