Tape Runs Out - Friends / Flowers Single (Ear to Ear Records)

Another stellar release from Ear to Ear Records, this double A-side single from Cambridge, England’s Tape Runs Out defies easy categorization. Imagine if you will mixed ambient music with wispy dream pop, and you’ll start to get an idea. Both songs are terrific, but it’s the song, “Flowers”, that really resonates with me. The song has an odd melange of birds and children thrown into the mix! Hovering over that are spacey vocals, spindly guitar lines, and chiming bells. For some reason, “Flowers” reminds me of space rockers Chroma Key. Their press sheet compares them to Mogwai, which is probably accurate, but I haven’t followed that band so I cannot comment on that comparison. We reviewers have to find some point of reference, but suffice it to say that this is really well executed. “Friends” has airy textures, and it sonically tickles your aural pleasure center. Pretty vocals and harmonies are overlaid with deceptively simple guitar, keys, and drums.

Drift over to YouTube to watch their video of “Friends”, which gives you an idea of where the band’s hive mind is. Shot as an old movie, the three band members alternate between eating (and spewing berry juice), blowing bubbles, and jumping up and down with glee. They are free spirits to be sure, and the seeming lightness of their musical vision is buoyed up by their enthusiasm.

Gauzy, gorgeous, and haunting, this band delivers the goods, and this single promises great things to come from this English group.

Check out the band at Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and Facebook.