Anyone who tipped Delphic as hot for 2010 can pat themselves on the back, as the Manc trio have burst out of the traps with indecent haste. Released last week, their debut album Acolyte slam dunked into the album charts top 10.
They are obviously indebted to Manchester predecessors New Order, something I found off putting on the first couple of listens, though gradually the group’s futurist sheen and fizzing positivity have won me over this bleak month. All that is missing is the sarcastic snarl of the city’s greatest musical exports, plus the sort of vigorous bottom end that Hooky or Mani could have supplied.
It’s a welcome lift for the north west that recently has had to suffer the mundanity of The Courteeners and the ever-willing, though so-far sadly limited, Twisted Wheel. Even better is the news that Delphic are not the only jewels Manchester has to offer. The band themselves have been keen to sing the praises of fellow city folk Everything Everything, an outfit that is more leftfield, but displayed exemplary pop nous on last year’s single My Keys, Your Boyfriend. And now Geffen have taken a punt on them.
Just as hotly tipped as Delphic are the more coiffured and melancholy Hurts, in some ways a throwback to the chill winds that blew through eighties synth pop, yet with their own engaging emotional punch. And for a more rough-edged, Afro-guitar take on things come Egyptian Hip Hop, with their own delightful single Wild Human Child. Interestingly, both Delphic and EHH hail from Marple, a leafy commuter village on the south east fringes of Greater Manchester in the shadow of the Peak District.
Along with other upcoming outfits Airship and Dutch Uncles, a source informs me, all attended the same school. Now those bands and Delphic are together on an EP, the highlight of which is an Everything Everything mix of Delphic’s This Momentary. The label Love And Disaster has not given its release a title, though I think we might be hearing soon not of Madchester, but Nerdchester.
Pete Mitchell
1 month, 4 weeks ago
I must say that I have never read such a load of old tosh.
Has the writer actually listened or watched some of these bands?
I read one article where one Nerd band knocked the Madchester scene, almost impying that it should be errased from history - how stupid.
Its like Liverpool ignoring the impact of the Beatles.
This sort of music is aimed exactly at the people that the writer refers to in the last line NERDS
Who wants to associate with NERD ROCK.
Lon live proper Rock n Roll
Pete Mitchell