The Horrors have always walked a delicate tightrope between ridiculous and authentic gothic rock. In spite of gimmicky names like Joseph Von Grimm and Spider Webb (you read right), their music is good, eerie, and deliberately dark, showing undercurrents of Interpol and Deerhunter with an occasional punky edge ala The Sex Pistols. On their sophomore effort, Primary Colours, this team of Bath boys reveals more maturity and professionalism with their efforts.
On opener "Mirror's Image," a slow buildup to the drums and distorted guitar hints at The Smiths’ creepier moments or a more talented She Wants Revenge. The second track, "Three Decades," sounds like surf rock fed through an Addams Family filter while lead singer Faris Badwan's voice reaches out over the steady percussion of Coffin Joe. The record's highlight is the stellar "Who Can Say," in which Badwan channels Ian Curtis beautifully. It's no wonder that their tour often includes a cover of Joy Division's "No Love Lost." With a nearly monotone delivery over languidly soaring key distortion and guitar battery, The Horrors wear their love for this music on their stinky, patched-together leather jacket sleeves.
Even if you didn't wear baggy JNCOs and Cure shirts in high school, The Horrors’ earnest love for and execution of goth is easy to appreciate. And with the NME stamp of approval and bill-sharing with the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Crystal Castles and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, this quintet may be on their way to mainstream appreciation with Primary Colours whether they like it or not. Now THAT is horrific.
THE REALLY REAL DEAL.
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