If you tuned in to our review of their previous "Filling Emptiness With Swedish Furniture" EP, youll know that Manchester's NARCISSUS are currently one of the city's best-kept secrets; happy to quietly inject their eclectic, resonant songs into pop's wider consciousness until it succumbs.
Since that EP's release, Narcissus have swelled to a full-time quartet, with Lee Mulvey and Mike Reader joining Ben Guy and Chris James and helping to enhance their local reputation thanks to support slots with fellow Northern Ambition labelmate Stephen Fretwell and airplay from GMR DJ Terry Christian.
Consequently, their confidence seems at an all-time high, judging by "Friends In High Places",their first 3-track EP with the new line-up and one which shows the engaging eclecticism of the previous EP was absolutely no fluke.
"Friends In High Places" kicks off with the impressive title track. A big, soundtrack-y feel dominates, with yearning keyboards, clean acoustic guitar, lugubrious rhythm and a definite nod to John Barry apparent until the electric guitar scythes in, cues up the chorus and introduces a full-on, widescreen sound. "Don't invade my space, 'cuz it'll only complicate," implores Ben as the band take flight. If I can still use the term 'epic' favourably, then this truly is.
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Dynamic start, then, but it doesn't really prepare you for the aural assault of "Cuttin' Through Red Tape", which strafes in on killer, repetitive psych-rock basslines, huge rock guitars and soon establishes a massive, mantra-like feel, not dissimilar to later Stone Roses. Trippy, pulverising stuff, with no prisoners taken whatsoever.
Then, just as you've adjusted, they realign your head once more with "White Rabbits." Apparently not a definite relation to Jefferson Airplane's cautionary anti-drug tale of many moons back, it's still slower, langourous and druggily dangerous and utilises loops and atmosphere to fine effect.
Narcissus are an extremely good band, unafraid to stretch out and twist influences into attractive new shapes. "Friends In High Places" both delivers and promises much for the future. Keep a very weather eye on this lot.
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