VELVET THUNDER

The psychologist would not doubt state that if you have to put ‘The Legendary’ into your band name then you are truly a long way from achieving that elevated status. Then again, I doubt that the psychologist has even reckoned on a band like the Pink Dots as the name is well and truly deserved and probably even then does not do the band real justice! The Anglo-Dutch band formed back in 1980 when the music scene was a real melting pot of ideas and genres and then re-located to Holland around 1984. Made up by the core of singer, songwriter and keyboardist Edward Ka-Spel and keyboardist Phil Knight they built up a solid reputation as a left of centre, experimental, electro, ambient outfit with a rotating membership and delighted in being outside the mainstream and masters of their own destiny. It must have worked as they are still here over 40-years later with more albums than you can count in the bag and a real reputation for being true pioneers of the music scene.

The current line-up sees both Ka-Spel and Knight with guitarist Erik Drost with two based in The Netherland and one in UK and they are joined on the new album by Josep Hendrikx on sound devices (whatever they could be). The real issue about this experimental electronic band is where to start as the music changes and evolves over the years with each album really only being a true statement of the band at that particular moment in time but you can cover the band’s core sound as being experimental electronic ambient soundscapes that flirts with elements of space and psychedelic rock. A thrilling component are the deliciously retrained vocals from Ka-Spel and truly hypnotic guitars and keyboards that weave a magical world where literally anything can and will happen. If you have ever wondered what would happen if Syd Barrett, The Cure and The Only Ones accidently met in the pub, had a couple of drinks and then decided on a whim to record an album together then this, effectively, is what you would no doubt have got.

The tracks all have a long, ethereal and dreamy feel with a music that washes over and bathes you with a wonderful feeling of calm and charm. Well, is the term Legendary deserved? You can guarantee it is and now they just need to add the words Pure Genius to the name too and then all the bases are covered. If you have weakness for electro and ambient music with a touch of Human League and Soft Cell aligned with Can then this magnificent album is going to blow your mind. I’m embarrassed to admit that this is the first time that I have heard of The Legendary Pink Dots as this is music that I simply adore and I feel somewhat depressed that I have missed out on 40-years of real genius. I now have a lot of homework to do!