Wakefield’s Piskie Sits lob album number three at a public who won’t be expecting it and likely won’t really care. But that’s their loss because ‘Stick and Twist’ is a magnificently wonky belter of an indie record that has ‘for fans of Pavement and The Fall’ all over it.
Craig Hale isn’t a singer who’s going to receive universal acclaim for his technical abilities, but then, neither are Steve Malkmus or Mark E. Smith. For the most part, ‘Stick and Twist’ captures the wild spirit of early Pavement releases. ‘Doctors and Nurses’ calls to mind The Pixies (‘Where is My Mind?’ to be specific).
Elsewhere, ‘Cold Heat’ crosses Bob Dylanesque verses with really rather nifty funk-tinged choruses with tantalisingly janglesome guitars. ‘Ffactions’ is sad and slow and brings a change of tone, Hale’s delivery reminiscent of J. Mascis as he croons mournfully amidst a cascade of strings
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Truth be told, there’s not a duff track on the album. Piskie Sits have a firm grasp on what makes for a cracking indie pop tune with a slant, and it would be nice to think that ‘Stick and Twist’ could be the album which sees them reach the wider audience they deserve.
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