Originating in Canada as the brainchild of singer and songwriter Al Spx, Cold Specks are now a trans-Atlantic five-piece capable of producing powerful, psychedelic music.
Based on a foundation of the gentle, elegant melodies and picked guitar lines which were the signature of the band’s first album, the advent of their next record has brought an expanded sound.
Keyboard and samples added depth while, most prominently, the band’s saxophonist brought a sympathetic hum to the quieter moments and whirling, unbridled assaults during occasional bursts of noise which recalled Kid A-era Radiohead.
These elements added to the skittering, punchy drums provided a worthy adversary to singer Al, the owner of a soaring, searing voice.
Her remarkable tone, at times impassioned and at others irresistibly powerful, is the defining characteristic of the band and was used to its full extent, from fuzzed, distorted vocals to songs sung completely a cappella.
And despite the intensity of the music, the band were pleasingly good-humoured and relaxed between songs – with Al introducing a cover of Nick Cave’s We No Who U R by cheekily inquiring if Brighton resident "Nicky-poo" was in the venue.
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