UNDERDOG UNDERFOOT

Although the debut album appeared in 2009, the Chichester, UK based FLIES ARE SPIES FROM HELL spent the next few years extensively touring Europe and played festivals such as ArcTanGent and Dunk! It wouldn't be until six years later in 2015 that the band released its sophomore album UNDERDOG UNDERFOOT. Amazingly after all that touring no members jumped ship and this album retains the exact same lineup as "Red Eyes Unravelling" which featured Chris (guitar), Will (guitar), George (bass), Watty (drums) and Fred (keyboards).

UNDERDOG UNDERFOOT is much like the debut in its stylistic approach. This is still post-rock influenced by progressive rock styles and focuses on the piano and keyboards as the main instrument to guide the cyclical loops of post-rockiness into shining glimmers of cinematic composition. The guitar heft also returns which includes not only grungy power chords but also the dueling guitar licks that create contrapuntal contrasts. Also on board is the bantering bass grooves in tandem with the percussive prowess of Watty who performs more ambitious than average drum gymnastics for a post-rock band.

This album features eight tracks that also add up to the traditional vinyl LP running time at 38 minutes. On the surface it's actually difficult to say what's different about UNDERDOG UNDERFOOT from the debut of six years prior but something about the compositions themselves sound as if they are constructed more in the Mogwai camp of song structures rather than the Mike Oldfield meets Explosions In The Sky methodology of the previous works. In other words this album sounds more like a traditional 21st century post-rock album whereas the previous sounded like a collage of progressive rock styles set out on a post-rock anthemic march in the rhythmic drive but there is a lot going on to separate these guys from the pack.

Pianos are quite rare in the world of post-rock with keys usually subjected to the role of atmospheric embellishment but FLIES ARE SPIES FROM HELL makes the instrument the most prominent feature as if some lounge lizard piano man suddenly got the urge to hook up with some posties and yet refuse to jettison his cocktail lounge piano style. The mix of this intimate dining sound with the heavier passages of rock heft and almost neo-prog guitar sweeps makes for yet another interesting and delightful album from those who make us distrustful of all things insect. You know i always thought flies were robots made by the government but to contemplate that they are spawns of Satan is just too much to ponder!

As with the previous works, UNDERDOG UNDERFOOT is a brilliant tightrope act that morphs from soft sensual piano led motifs to full blown hard rock din. The excellent instrumental interplay of these musicians is perfectly performed with each creating a unique side story to be told in this craftily controlled mix of various transitions from one mood to another. And this all happens without losing that string of what makes post-rock so distinctly what it is. Sure Russian Circles and Explosions In The Sky are still worthy comparisons but when it comes down to it, FLIES ARE SPIES really succeeded in scoring a unique stylistic approach and although only subtly different from the debut still exudes excellence.