- After
playing more than 75 gigs in two
years, you would think that
Cambridge band my friend
irma might sound a
little tired. But the eccentric
Indie offerings of 'Tom Bunning
& Mr. Late' are fresh,
energetic and full of life.
There is something
infectious about the band's music, you
will find yourself humming these songs
weeks after you hear the album.
The intertwining vocals of
Jenni Thomas and Tom Kendon give the band
a definite identity, and the tracks a
real instant accessibility. Songs like
'New Zoo' give the pair an opportunity to
shine as their voices rise and fall,
blend and contrast, lending range and
versatility to the band's sound.
Pulling influences from
indie, rock, and even folk, 'my friend
irma' have an eclectic feel to their
music and swing from sensitive moods to
punk pop party tunes with ease. The
powerful vocals are supported by gentle
strings and some amazingly moody swells
of guitar from Guy Henderson, which makes
'Summer Days' an atmospheric masterpiece.
On 'Child of the Sun', the
band sound rather like 'The Beautiful
South', with some solid rhythm from
drummer Dave Morris and bassist Tim
Glasswell.
'Oh Sarah!' is another
highlight, as the band go full-on rock'n'
roll with a catchy chorus, and some
fantastic guitar work. Although the band
play regularly at 'The Boat Race' in
Cambridge, they have been branching out,
holding gigs in London and around the UK.
And the stage experience is obviously
paying off. 'Tom Bunning & Mr. Late'
is a slick, polished and highly
accomplished album from a band which is
full of confidence.
The band play 'The Boat
Race' in Cambridge on Saturday October
27, with support from Yellowstone and
!Jesus!. For more information about my
friend irma, click on to www.myfriendirma.co.uk
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