Manchester Music
Motherwell's "The Hector Collectors" are a weird proposition at least. Scottish shambolic lo-fi musings tread on the territory of cheap themes like "Teenage Dirtbag" played with banjos and a sore throat, all set in something comparable to Easterhouse or a "Trainspotting" Hi-Rise.
But somehow they've managed to cram in some romance too. "Opposites" shuffles through with solid intent and rusty, but effective harmonies. "Hectors By Numbers" is soaked in Scottish accents and struggling melodies, but with a pile of TV references, some sparkling guitars (comparably) and funny keyboard riffs, it's strangely compelling.
"Solid Silver 60's Tour" remembers Merseybeat with a shaky folk vocal - a pastiche certainly. But it stacks up into something quite entertaining. "B A Robertson" is a bit of a rip off of The Skids "T V Stars" in that it roll calls celebrity names (this time from the Scots B-Z list ). Witty but with a deliberately lacklustre soundtrack.
"Dollification" is a straighter number and it's relative focus allows The Hector Collectors to at least grab some new wave references (eg. Frank Sidebottom and The Desperate Bicycles). "Alison Goldfrapp" starts off with the best vocals so far and the guitars are at least making a more comprehensible stab at a coherent tune. The Hector Collectors are most definitely bizarre and most probably barmy. But hidden in this strange collection are a couple of tunes that could give even the best alt.indie names a run for their money.
I'm not entirely sure though, that The Hector Collectors are even bothered about the trappings of anything remotely associated with success. [Manuel Ecostos]
www.manchestermusic.co.uk
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This Is Not TV
Getting CDs sent to you through the post is always exciting but getting vinyl is even better. And getting Stolenwine vinyl is always really good because you never quite know what you're going to get. In this case it's the new record by Scotland's 'The Hector Collectors', a seven inch with six (yes six!) tracks. I've not come across The Hectors before and quite frankly I can't really think of any way of describing them. Their lo-fi shambolic music has been compared to the Moldy Peaches and BMX Bandits and they are seen as Scotland's answer to Half Man Half Biscuit so that's got the comparisons out of the way.
All the songs are the EP are complicated little tales of life in the world of The Hectors. Nothing is straightforward and the tracks twist and turn like a Morris Minor navigating a country road on a sunny day. The songs are awkward and maybe a little clumsy with lyrics which are at times intelligible and vocals which stray from the tune. On paper this record should be rubbish but instead it is completely charming. My description of the woolly nature of The Hectors music may make the band sound like a group who don't put a lot of effort into their music but paradoxically I think the laid back care-free style of their lo-fi music is probably the result of a real labour of love. The lyrics are carefully crafted and all the melodies are brilliantly spun to compliment them. The Hector Collectors could never succeed in the world of major labels so it's great that people like Stolenwine are giving this band a chance to get heard. [Emma Farrer]
www.thisisnottv.co.uk
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Adrian Denning
Our favourite Scottish indie popsters are back with a six track 7" vinyl EP, playing at 33.3rpm and released on Stolenwine Records. Sigh. What we all actually want of course is a second full length LP. The Hector Collectors continue to get better and better. With the lead track here, produced by ex-Teenage Fanclub member Brendan O'Hare, the Hectors are clearly going places! Well, name producers (?!) aside, the real reason anticipation for a new Hector Collectors album is reaching fever pitch in places as far flung as Coventry is the material itself. "Opposites" has clever, funny lyrics - very good lyrics. It also has a massive hook a fisherman could win competitions with. Cute vocals are a feature of both the second and third songs. The Hectors quote Joe Meek's "Telstar" musically during the latter tune, the former song is just so nice, daft, yet utterly brilliant. I want a bloody CD copy, it's a pain in the ass for me to listen to vinyl records these days. Lack of equipment, you see!
The second side kicks off with "BA Robertson", another song with catchy melodies and great funny lyrics. Four winners in a row? Well, yeah. Two more to go? Yeah, actually. The Hector Collectors and principal songwriter Adam Smith produce their finest piece of plastic yet here. The closing "Alison Goldfrapp" is just as nice, affecting and well put together as anything else here, by the way. Do yourself a favour, visit www.hectorcollectors.co.uk and discover this band. They sound little like them, but they're catchier and just as addictive listening as Franz Ferdinand, who went top ten! [Adrian Denning]
www.adriandenning.co.uk
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