Kingston upon Hull, famous for having its own communications company and being almost completely destroyed in the blitz –only for Thatcher to do her best to better that 40 years later. Politics, aside, it’s an area of the UK that’s definitely had its detractors, yet in 2017 it was (rightly) made the UK City of Culture.
Almost a decade before, culture was alive and well in this part of Yorkshire, doing just as well as the neighbouring cities of Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford in terms of quality art and music. Perhaps better. Better because of Fonda 500.
You’ll likely know their songs, as they’ve graced plenty of TV shows such as Skins and Teachers, and the Colin Farrell film, Intermission. They’ve got a cult following, that’s for sure. Je M’Apelle Stereo is their sixth album, but the one that brought them to wider attention for those wanting something fresher and weirder from their art rock bands.
Fonda 500 deliver in spades on this album.
They really should be global superstars, yet it’s their Britishness and idiosyncratic way of making music that compels them to retain a cult status. Although once signed to Truck Records, this album they went out on their own label, bringing their mix of Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies, catchy indie rock à la We Are Scientists (although I can also detect a slab of Monster Magnet-ism in there, and some Super Furries), and their use of weird and novelty instruments (including beatboxing and 8-bit Casio sounds) to the 14 songs, each feeling slightly different to the one that came before.
The big song here is Jenny #1, yet there are many, many more gems to be unearthed, including The Sounds Sound Warmer When The Sound Is Shared, Silver Sounds, Electronique Bee 101 and Super Dots & Lights, which all show the range and experimentation the band brings to every critically-acclaimed recording. They’re also an energetic live band, which you can always catch even if they’ve not been releasing music.
They’re as exciting as a spacehopper on your birthday in the 70s, the release of a new Argos catalogue in the 80s, or cheese on toast for breakfast (and just as bonkers). Yet, somehow, they still make great indie pop songs. And they’d sound great released on vinyl, which is a format this album has never been put out on.
Don’t believe me? Have a listen.