Thou
Put Us In Tune

THE REVIEW

“Tune us in,” say Thou. And indeed, judging by the strange sounds halfway between a broken record and a distorted Hammond, their music is pleasantly unconventional.

This is certainly thanks to the production of – hear ye, hear ye – John Parish, someone who usually knows what he's doing. But it is also thanks to the ideas of Bart Vincent and Does De Woelf (she is a female, this one), the souls behind this other unique product of the lively Belgian scene of recent years.

The 15 tracks of the album (dated 2000) breathe dark and abrasive with an underlying dirtiness, a bit trip-hop, a bit noise: like Sonic Youth pills, covered in Portishead, in a glass of Mogwai. Bart and Does alternate on vocals: both indolent and understated, they work great in the wholly indie – and intelligent – atmosphere.

Kids Do Ride and Calling Me are real gems, immersed in samples, loops, and vaguely imperfect melodies. I especially like them because they make me feel as if I'm walking through a crowded metropolis, under a somewhat rusty rain, restless but alive, thoughtful and dangerous… Listen to me / am I comfortable? / she’s my love / ‘cause she still can’t shine / I take my time…