It may have been a long time coming, but Caterpillar Ghost's debut UK release is well worth the wait
Caterpillar Ghost have two rather notable claims to fame: firstly, this EP will be the debut release of Signature Tune records – a new label run by the lovely people that bring you the Play Dead zine, and secondly they share one member with ethereal post-rock champions Jeniferever. The band formed back in the late 90's in Uppsala, Sweden, but have never released anything in the UK before, only now deciding to extend their geographical catchment area, following the success that Jeniferever have enjoyed here.
There are similarities between the two bands, with Caterpillar Ghost taking the vast, sprawling soundscapes of Jeniferever and compacting them into something more succinct but no less spectacular. Rich textures of sound are painted on in broad, confident brush-strokes, creating a canvas of depth, warmth and intricacy.
Title track 'My Beautiful Revolution' is a reflectively sombre affair, with a brooding bassline rumble that clutches at the chimes of resonating guitars that float overhead just out of reach. Closer 'La Forza Maggiore' is about as close to a straightforward song as you'll find here; the vocals are thrust into the foreground to play a more prominent role and are ably supported by a delightfully jazzy, almost Karate-esque chorus.
The EP is of such an unfailingly high standard that you have to wonder why they thought they'd need to piggyback another band's success to survive here – I can't think of a country that wouldn't be receptive to a work of such delicate beauty. And if I could I certainly wouldn't want to go there.