Indie Folk At Its Finest
London-based indie-folk act Fanfarlo, perhaps taking their name from 19th century French poet Charles Pierre Baudelaire's 1847 piece 'La Fanfarlo', are worth a look just for their artwork – flies slumped into armchairs, well-dressed birds and the like.
Their single's title, "You Are One Of The Few Outsiders Who Really Understands Us", is an example of one of those brilliantly reclusive and pseudo-depressing statements that are so prevalent amongst American 'anti-folk' artists, such as Jeffrey Lewis: simultaneously potent and amusing, and with a healthy dose of self mocking. Musically, however, "You Are One ...", despite starting off like Buck Rodgers by Feeder, is more like a cross between The Spinto Band and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – gentle, dreamy indie-pop songs, with none of the posing and ego of The Killers and co. Impressive. B-side 'In The Trunk' is equally good.
Whilst Fanfarlo are a refreshing break from the constant stream of NME-endorsed haircut-and-tight-jeans bands, they are not as accomplished or as unique-sounding as the likes of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and will need to continue to improve if they are to truly stand out. However, for those indie fans with more brains than hair-straighteners, Fanfarlo are one to watch.