An impressive debut album from Welsh alternatives Tiger Please
The fair country of Wales is associated with a number of things, namely leeks, dragons and Tom Jones; and that really isn’t fair. It’s only after looking at this tawdry list of mythical beings, vegetables and old men with incomprehensible amounts of woman’s lingerie that you begin to realise just how closed minded it all seems. Especially when you consider that Wales is currently developing a fantastic alternative music scene at its epicentre. 2009 has produced some exciting new albums from some young, innovative bands who know a thing or two about musicality. Now it’s time for South Wales five-piece Tiger Please to run the gauntlet, and they seem to be doing a pretty darn good job.
The band's debut mini-album ‘They don’t change under moonlight’, released November 2nd, is a mix of heart pounding sentiment and euphoric indie anthems wrapped up in a neat little package of tight progressions and emotive lyrics. Released through Walnut Tree Records the album consists of six main tracks, held together by six mini interludes which adds a unique element for the listener. These little half minute snippets create a distinct flow and colour to the album, leaving very little silent space in between.
First main track ‘Strawberry Moon’ starts with the twinkling riff of a guitar (Luc Morris, Tyla Campbell) and a steady drumbeat (Lewis Roswell). It also introduces us to the impressive vocal range of lead singer Leon Stanford, who manages to contain a maturity and deepness in his tenor voice, even when reaching for the high notes. Second main track ‘The Armada’ moves away from the sweetness of ‘Strawberry Moon’. Here we see a nice change in content as Tiger Please play with elements of rock, even touching base with elements of hardcore in the chorus and bridge, with classic erratic guitar licks and the backbone of a bass (Jimmi Kendall). The last verse slows in pace, returning back to earth again with the line: “If that makes me an artist, I’ll cut off my ear.”
‘Without Country” is a fast paced anthem filled with call and respond vocals featuring Neil from the band Attack! Attack!. “This Side of Town” again uses the full extent of the band’s vocal capabilities with some warm and fuzzy harmonies filled with real emotion. However, it is arguably last track ‘Lights and Sound’ that crowns ‘They don’t change under moonlight’. With its simple melodies, filled with the sweep of violins and the heartbeat of a bass, the track builds steadily to a climax of impressive proportions, with guitar, drums, bass and vocal all working together in perfect harmony.
Tiger Please are currently supporting Kids in Glass Houses on the November leg of their tour and if the mini-album is anything to go by the Welsh lads should expect to pick up some new fans. “They don’t change under moonlight" is an impressively, mature and innovative debut from five musicians who clearly understand how to take what they love from others and craft it into something new and exciting. If we don’t see bigger things for Tiger Please in 2010, I’ll eat my own Trilby.