Close, but no cigar...
Although this fantastically titled vinyl-only release is technically their "second EP" - containing a whopping two tracks, I think that the label is a little optimistic, as even singles usually have three. So, for the purpose of accuracy, I will hereby refer to it as [ahem] '7-inch release number 2'. Another thing that is somewhat confusing is the fact that this limited vinyl is housed in a sleeve adorned with "one off, original artwork". Isn't all album art one off? It is possible that I am just being anal, and it is more than possible that this is of no relevance, so I'll move on...
Written From Negative are part of a burgeoning scene in which bands are not afraid to let melodies stray south of what is classed as 'normal', with guitars that enthusiastically dance around a loose idea of a riff, taking the musical scenic route rather than playing as the crow flies. Take this edgy and exciting sound and couple it with a vocalist that sounds like a slightly harder-edged Guy Picciotto, and you think you'd be on to a winner. Well...
Whilst the title track displays a dry humour and healthy disdain for clubbers "it's not about your hair", (b-side?) 'A Life In A Morning With...' is the better of the two, with grooving dance-sensibilities that find a middle-ground between Jarcrew and The Murder Of Rosa Luxemburg.
If I had listened to this a year ago, my review would be very different, and I would be lauding a band who are experimenting in new musical directions, with an individual sound that is edgy, exciting and most importantly, fresh. As it is, WFN are not doing anything that hasn't been done before, and it has to be said, better, by the likes of Bright Calm Blue and the aforementioned Murder Of Rosa Luxemburg. They are not a bad band, far from it, it's just that to successfully create complicated music, music that cannot rely on instant melodies to win over the listener, takes a great deal of song writing skill, something which WFN don't have in quite the right amount.