CAROLINA SKELETONS

Sometimes NO-MAN makes music that is just too darn beautiful. This odd single is one example.

I say odd because 'Carolina Skeletons' was issued as a single a full three years before the album from which it was drawn. Not exactly prime marketing behaviour, but NO-MAN exist for the music, not the sale. The title track is a beauty, a genuine hit single, with a gentle hook and thoughtful lyrics counterpunched by an interesting, slightly edgy, phased percussion. The track is subtly different to the album version that appeared in 2001. The second track is a step down, not much more than filler. 'Close Your Eyes', however, is a song of the highest calibre. A gentle percussion heralds a glorious shimmering three-note motif that repeats throughout the song. BOWNESS's poignant vocals lead to a delicious distorted guitar. I know it doesn't sound much, but this is top-drawer stuff. The single finishes with a gentle piano reprise of the title track.

This is about as good as singles get. NO-MAN fire two of their best shots here, an unfortunate by-product of which is it rendered the impact of their 2001 album 'Returning Jesus' a little less memorable for those who had already acquired this single.

If you see this, don't hesitate.

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