The Big Pink review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/big-pink/210909/put-record-big-pink

Put A Record On: The Big Pink
September 21st, 2009 | London

Not many bands are keen to wear musical influences on their sleeves, but British duo The Big Pink has taken such reluctance a step further. Listening to debut album A Brief History of Love, it's clear that the musicians grew up on a healthy diet of Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine, but their rose tinted name seems to divert such obvious inspiration.

Despite donning black denim and crumbling Converse, Milo Cordell and Robbie Curze's music is tender, and, as the album title indicates, offers a sensitive and introverted collection of songs. That being said, A Brief History of Love is also full of distorted guitars and carpet bombing synth melodies—Curze was a guitarist for digital hardcore singer Alec Empire, after all. Cordell's musical credentials are equally impressive: he used to run influential record label Merok and is the son of '60s record producer Denny Cordell. Unsurprisingly, the pair's musical heritage and talents shine through on this hyped album.

First single "Dominos" sets the tone with pounding drums and a catchy chorus ("These girls fall like dominoes"), but "Velvet" is the crowning achievement. Were the boys slightly more refined and packaged for mainstream success, it would be a bona fide billboard hit. As it is, "Velvet" will have to confide itself with underground club cult status alongside similarly broody tracks like "Love in Vain" and "At War with the Sun."

A Brief History of Love is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/musicfromthebigpink.

—David Hellqvist