Envelopes – Smoke In The Desert, Eating The Sand, Hide In The Grass
Envelopes, a UK based band comprising of Swedish and French members, are probably best known for their song 'Sister In Love', from the 2005 album 'Demon', which was recorded on Henrik Orrling's family farm in Sweden. Envelopes are a perfect example of alternative indie-pop at its best – Razorlight for those with more intelligence than old pairs of converse shoes.
In anticipation of their forthcoming album 'Here Comes The Wind', Envelopes release a two-track single 'Smoke In The Desert, Eating The Sand, Hide In The Grass'. The title track is a pleasing, bouncy indie-pop track, with upbeat guitar melodies, that sounds quite like a Modest Mouse song. Quirky B-side 'Party' is perhaps the stronger song, and certainly the more interesting, borrowing lyrics from Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart', changing "Once upon a time I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart/total eclipse of the heart" to "Once upon a time I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart/totally fucked from the start". It shouldn't come as a great surprise that 'Smoke In The Desert...' doesn't have the same instantly catchy feel of 'Sister In Love', but these quirky, off-kilter songs boast enhanced complexity, and should conjure up great anticipation for the forthcoming album.