Album Review : Pastels/Tenniscoats - Two Sunsets
- Written by Hannah Brannon
This September be prepared to be lulled into the dreamy creation that is the collaboration between The Pastels and The Tenniscoats. Two Sunsets is the brand new and exciting release from the two bands and includes an outstanding array of 12 songs. You may remember The Pastels as the Scottish pop legends that were the cult band of the eighties. The Tenniscoats, who you might be less familiar with, are a Japanese duo who recorded this collection in Glasgow whilst completing their UK tour.
This slightly unlikely collaboration has created 12 beautifully crafted tracks, each providing a summery-optimism, currently missing from many contemporary artists.
The songs are a little odd but none-the-less graceful in their deliverance, reminding us of lazy summer afternoons turning into delightful sunsets ala café del mar and the more relaxed side of Ibiza living. Full of melodic (and sometimes strange) backbeats and effects, the tracks are eye-opening and genteel.
With a subtle enthusiasm the first track 'Tokyo Glasgow' reassures the listener of the undemanding nature of the album. A laid back, soft enthusiasm seeps out of all the songs but perhaps none more so though than on the track 'Start Slowly So We Sound like a Loch'.
'Song for A Friend' is another prime example of the mellow vibes pulsating throughout this collaboration, offering a mix of velvety, melodious words and some acoustically genius talent. 'Vivid Youth' has an enticingly exciting intro and maintains the indulgent feel present throughout the entire album.
'Yomigaeru' is a fun, summer-time song. The lyrics are so addictive I guarantee you'll be singing along within seconds. 'Hikoki' is a brief yet charming piece of music with a range of instruments providing an unusual yet delightful track. An enchanting magic is present on the track 'Mou Mou Rainbow', it captivates the listener and induces an entrancing sound, most pleasant on the ears.
I can't tell you which track is my favourite, which is the best offering or indeed which is the weakest. This I cannot do because all 12 tracks provide a story, track one is the beginning, track 12 the end, listen until the end and you'll understand what I mean. Every single track on this album glides smoothly from one to the next, a transition made possible by the perfect collaboration executed by these sets of artists. Two Sunsets is the perfect title for the album, providing an inkling as to the relaxed content stored within. Ideal for hot sunny afternoons in the park, picnics in the garden and those summer drives we all love to take.