To create the sound for their latest album, Curiosity, the Rocky Tinder and Eric Phipps (collectively known as Wampire) each worked separately and then brought fragments of song ideas into the studio, before deconstructing, re-arranging, and fitting them back together piece by piece.

The album opens with 'Hearse' which reminded me of several songs, but most notably the opening riff to another single I reviewed recently - Mike Tyler's 'Money Grows on your Knees'. It serves as the perfect introduction for those unfamiliar with the band - its opening notes swelling instantly with electronic organs over a driving drum beat. By the time bass and vocals kick in, you’re already hooked.

The majority of the other tracks are instantly forgettable - even after repeat listening I was hard pushed to remember if I'd heard them or not before. Not that that is really an issue, it's just that it makes it an album that, once the year is over, is one that you're very unlikely to revisit.

'Magic Light' was my other favourite track - it's haunting and reminded me of the '90s output of Space. This is the perfect way to round of the album.

It's a fairly short album, containing 9 tracks with a running time of 32 min, 50 sec.

6

Nick Smithson