EP Review: Batsch – Collar EP

<p>As a child of the ’80’s, I love synth pop, its mothers milk to me. Give me some retro synth and I’m in heaven, sprinkle some John Foxx-esque lyrics and I’ll love you long time!</p> <p><a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/ChrisJones">by Chris Jones</a> | 1st September 2014</p><p>★★★★★</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4613708781.jpg" width="280" height="280" alt="" title=""/></p> <p></p><p>Batsch do both - I’d marry them tomorrow if I could! This Midlands based quartet are channelling Talking Heads in their lyrical twists, their playful mix of synth, guitar and decent bass line. </p><p></p><p>they follow up their 2013 EP “Tiles” with this lovely offering, “Collar”</p><p></p><p>Celine is a playful tune that is very reminiscent of the early ’80’s - reminds me so much of the stuff Blitz kids listened to, early Ultravox, very early Spandau… not taking itself too seriously, but seriously enough.</p><p></p><p>22 sounds like a good Howard Jones track with a spoonful of Aztec Camera or Lloyd Cole - the music is sparse, so you contrite on the lyrics and Batsch do a very good lyric!</p><p></p><p>Did You Hear About Argine is a slower track, with some spoken word, nice mix of styles and a change of tempo.</p><p></p><p>Mirrorball channels so much Lloyd Cole it's untrue - whether it's intentional or not. The lyrics again make this song so strong, the music, as with so much ’80’s stuff, is almost secondary. </p><p></p><p>Can’t Tell is a change again in that it moves things up a gear and changes the tempo - showing their influences of Talking Heads and Chic!</p><p></p><p>The band describe their sound as gutter glamour, and I’d have to agree - if you're a pure ’80’s groupie like me, and love the sounds of La Roux, etc in terms of current acts, then give this band a go. I love hearing new music, its the John Peel in me... and this group don't disappoint at all. One to follow!</p><p></p><p>Their sounds are available from Amazon and iTunes</p><p></p><p>I love them so much, I’d give them 5 starts for this current EP</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4611476917.jpg" width="460" height="30" alt="" title=""/></p> <p> </p><p></p><p> </p>