Andrew Weatherall :: The Bullet Catcher's Apprentice (Rotters Golf Club, CD/LP)

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1478 image 1(02.12.07) It’s indeed hard to believe, but this is the first Andrew Weatherall solo release, after years spent with Sabres Of Paradise, Two Lone Swordsmen, several other projects with Keith Tenniswood / Radioactive Man, remixing, DJ’ing and producing rock bands, most notably Primal Scream. While I was not able to understand the last Two Lone Swordsmen record, because I don’t know anything about prog rock or any other influences the duo were revisiting, in this EP electro and rock are blended together in a catchy handful of tunes, ready to be enjoyed by anyone.

“Feathers” brings the funk with a gritty live bassline and infectious guitar riffs, the beat is crisp too and there’s only a hint of synthetic sound with some cold pads in background that recall 2LS. “You Can’t Do Disco Without A Strat” is quite self explaining, it’s a 70’s influenced disco tune with a verse featuring a tubular bass and creepy lyrics by Andrew himself (I suppose), while the chorus starts the party with feasting girls (a bit too happy) and mellow guitar; the following “La Sirena” (“The Mermaid” in Italian) turns towards the electro side, there’s a two step beat in pure Detroit style, all the drums are cold and glitchy as you can expect from a 2LS member, the bass is vibrant and ominous with only some other riffs that bring a human touch. Finally “Edie Eleven” is an underwater four-to-the-floor affair, with muffled bass, elastic beat and this time even the Balearic guitar sounds alien and melancholic. There’s also a Repeat/Repeat remix of “You Can’t Do Disco,” that is drained and spoiled of all the catchy elements of the original and sounds much more like a stripped down version of some Tiny Reminders tracks: not bad, but maybe a bit out of place here.

All in all an excellent EP, featuring a dancefloor smasher for any situation, whether you’re doing a disco, minimal, or electro set you’ll find something that fits in.

The Bullet Catcher’s Apprentice is out now on Rotters Golf Club. Buy it at Amazon.com.

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