We live in an age of nostalgia. A time when tribute bands rule the grass roots roost, where iconic bands are reforming to cover outstanding tax bills, and where most new bands sound a lot like something you have heard before, and heard done better. And whilst “On Reality” was originally released in 1992, the return of Tabitha Zu into the modern music consciousness feels nothing less than a band returning, if only fleetingly, to save us from all of that cold and calculated coattail riding.
The fact that at the time of this, their second single, the band toured with both Leatherface and The Darling Buds says a lot about their sound, able to simultaneously appeal to fans of Frankie Stubbs’ punk tour de force and aficionados of the leading lights of the blonde-pop movement. Nirvana and Nick Cave also get honorary mentions for shared stages.
“On Reality” is a vital and vibrant reminder of just how good we had it at that time when the formative 80’s indie-rock had really found its feet, matured, and rolled into the next decade with a decisive and determined sound, before the twin evils of grunge and Brit-pop came along and ruined everything.
Backbeats and basslines build a big, brooding sonic backdrop; guitars surge and soar, and Melanie Garside’s vocals dance deftly, defiantly, and, occasionally, delicately over the top. But it is a song that understands dynamics, so breakdowns and acoustic guitars, anthemics and relentless drive all shape the song.
“On Reality” feels less like a reminder of the past and more like the 7th Cavalry arriving in the nick of time to save us from the spears and arrows of a music industry merely concerned with making themselves an outrageous fortune.
So the big question is this. Is the re-release of this fantastic song just a chance for it to have the day in the sun largely denied it first time around, or a hint at something bigger to come? I’ll let you know when I know.
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