From one band who used to be on Sub Pop Records to another who find themselves there now. Dokkum, Holland's The Homesick hardly sound like typical Sub Pop fodder on their latest album The Big Exercise, an indication of how far the label has travelled since its formative days.
The Homesick are definitely a prepossessing trio. Working up obscure, propulsive leftfield Pop melodies that are diverting if never completely clear in their intent. Quietly experimental and innovative, their songs never stand in one place which will infuriate many but intrigue the select few.
I certainly found myself pretty absorbed on listening through to the album for the first time. The Homesick are clever, clever. Boffins in laboratories to some extent. Easy comparisons aren't readily available though you suspect they might rate freethinkers like Wire, Kevin Ayers, Monochrome Set, The Nits or the more off the wall Blur. Songs don't follow prescribed patterns or set progressions while remaining melodic and diverting.
Whimsical and inventive, you might get to the end of The Big Exercise and wonder whether you want to listen to it again, because tracks tend to meander to and fro without necessarily leaving a lasting impression except for of their oddness.The album really hits its stride in its final few numbers where its identity finally coalesces to winning effect. I'm not sure everything worked but I think I'll probably return as it seems to be a record you need to get to know in order to come to a truly informed judgement. Interesting at the very least.
P.S. Listening through to the record for the second time this morning and I suspect it's one I'm going to grow to love.
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