Search - Mccarthy :: That's All Very Well But

Post-punk stereolab

Christopher G. Huttman | 01/31/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"if you've heard of mccarthy, you're most likely either a post-punk fanatic or a major stereolab fan. when i first picked up this record, i was surprised: while the roots of stereolab's now trademark melodic repetitions and the politics are here, the record is more reminiscent of the smiths or the housemartins.this is not to say the record is bad: it's actually quite nice. the songs are solid, the lyrics strong, and melodies beautiful. all in all, it's one of those obscure little records that will eventually find its way into your heart and head."

Fancy THEY turned into Stereolab!

Christopher G. Huttman | Atlanta, GA USA | 06/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"McCarthy WAS best known for being on the famous NME C-86 compilation of jangle bands influenced by the likes of the Smiths and the Go-Betweens. Now they are probably best known as being Tim Gane's day job before he went on to stranger things with Stereolab.So here you have singles and album tracks from their brief career (mid 80's to 1990) and on a few you have the presence of Mrs. Stereolab as well, she joined the band after meeting Gane at a concert in 1989. If you're looking for more music in the same vein as Stereolab, you should probably check elsewhere. If however, names like Wedding Present and Close Lobsters make your blood rush and you remember when Primal Scream was still a hippy band (and these are all fond memories, of course) you'll feel right at home with this pleasant late 80's jangle pop.It isn't the Stone Roses, granted, but it isn't half bad either."