Category:
Rock

Try if you like:
Big Star, The Battles, The Kinks

Power pop with the emphasis on POWER, Giantess evolve into this latest incarnation by channeling Ray Davies, with a little Syd Barrett. As you might expect from that description, this is rocking, slightly odd pop that both moves and is moving, witty but with wisdom. Formerly known as The Battles, Giantess is driven by the writing of Stephen Wood, who here goes for the emotional brass ring on several tunes, and grabs it solid; even at his most tender, he doesn’t trip on sentiment. Songs like “Stella, Please” and “Flex of Green” are as raw and honest as they are tongue in cheek. The best writers deliver the goods by exposing themselves, but at the same time not taking themselves seriously. Wood, on these ten tracks loaded with killer hooks and memorable melodies, is the force behind a great release that is instantly as memorable as any number of riffs on these ten tracks. If you must know what stands out, I’ll name “Flex of Green,” “Wheels on Fire,” and “Forbidden Intruder.” But all tunes on Giantess stand up strong and firm, and work for anyone interested in intelligent and rocking pop.