Candyskins
Death Of A Minor TV Celebrity
[Velvel]
Rating: 4.5
Maybe you remember the Candyskins from their cover of that classic '60s
folk anthem "For What It's Worth." No? How about their (very) minor
alt-rock hit "Wembley?" No again? Oh well, you're not alone. Back in the days
when Dave Kendall was hosting MTV's "120 Minutes" (we're talking ancient
history on the pop- cultural timeline here, like 1991), the Candyskins
were at best a third- tier Britpop group, overshadowed by the likes of
Ride and the La's. Still, I remember them rather fondly. I don't know
why, really-- maybe it's just the high school nostalgia talking.
Death Of A Minor TV Celebrity is the Candyskins' first American
release since getting dumped by DGC in 1993, and despite a few incremental
changes in their sound (such as the cheap synths that sound like they were
bought at a Spiritualized garage sale), I wouldn't be surprised if they
get labelled as Oasis clones. With the shambling rhythms, nasal vocals and
anthemic gestures on tracks like "A Song" and "Teenage Suicide," the
comparison to the brothers Gallagher isn't too far off. Of course, the
Candyskins' songwriting sense isn't as keen as Oasis', but they also have
a great deal more heart (although you could probably say the same thing of
any other band today).
Overall, Death Of A Minor TV Celebrity is rather underwhelming: a
collection of decent pop moments which don't add up to much. It starts off
promisingly enough with the catchy dreaminess of "Feed It" and the
Pixies- flavored rocker "It's A Sign," but the Candyskins' energy wanes
soon thereafter. Their sound wasn't terribly unique to begin with-- it's
really just your garden- variety mushpot of Britpop influences-- but the uneven
production and general bogged- down feel of the album is something even the
summery "Swimming Pool" and the morning- after dreariness of "Friday Night,
Saturday Morning" can't redeem. The Candyskins have made an okay pop
album, but not one that's going to finally get the recognition in America
that they might deserve.
-Nick Mirov