Aberdeen "You Kept My Heart (The Sarah & Sunday Singles)"
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FORMAT | LP
In the wake of post punk and new wave mania of the 70s and 80s, UK bands throughout the 90s would continue to adore the bright, flourishing guitar riffs of these sounds. As the rise of electronic dance music began, small yet thriving circles of bands were stripping back their sounds as much as possible, as an antidote to the technology integrated society surrounding them. Melodies became simple and lyrics became naive as the bare bones of what people liked in music was celebrated. The 90s would see the rise of independent labels and fanzine creators who were starting to seize the means and champion the scene within the scene, away from the majors. One of the most prominent underground labels of this time was the Bristol based 'Sarah Records', birthed by a pair of fanzine and flexidisc enthusiasts, they championed the sound of many bands who just wanted to write fun, catchy, pop songs for people to enjoy. As Sarah's scope grew, the world at large was becoming more connected, bands far and wide were also tapping into these sounds. Aberdeen were founded in LA, California: A place detached from the 'Sarah' scene, yet a place in which the luscious guitar tones and summery riffs of twee pop feel more suited than overcast British suburbia. Helmed by John Girus and Beth Arzy, the duo amassed a tight yet blissful discography of EPs and albums of beautifully melodic, melancholic and dreamy songs fully enveloping the cliche topics of summer sunshine, young love, and the lack thereof. The band's first EP 'Byron' released in 1994 on Sarah was slated at the time by critics. "What dull lives they must lead. Aberdeen ought to... get a couple of Es down their necks" to quote Melody Maker: A prime example of the boisterous, hedonistic raver mentality in which music was consumed at the time, that these bands were shying away from. They followed up that same year with the 'Fireworks' EP, and then in 1995 with the infectious 'Snapdragon' on Sunday records; a Chicago founded indie label specialising in similar sounds. All these eps have gone on to become cult classics within the twee pop scene and become highly sought after due to their limited runs at the time. After some heavy long distance back-and-forthing, Toothgrinder Press are excited to announce the reissue of a large amount of the Aberdeen discography on vinyl for the first time in 30 years. 'You Kept My Heart (The Sarah & Sunday Singles)' comes by way of a 12" powder pink vinyl featuring a glow in the dark star, akin to the ones on the band's guitar pedals. The tracklist boasts the entirety of the band's first 3 EPs +2 bonus tracks, one of which being 'Sink or Float', originally recorded for the Buffy The Vampire OST. In recent years the UK music scene has witnessed a huge resurgence in these naive, stripped back and twee sounds. The ubiquitous looping of Dean Blunt almost exclusively harks back to this era and bands such as Dry Cleaning, Fat White Family & Bar Italia all have songs that seemingly could have been lifted from Aberdeen and the like's discography. In an era where the overproduction of music and reliance on technology is now more prevalent than ever, it's comforting that Aberdeen's sound, 30 years on, is just as fresh and appreciated than ever.
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