Crushed Beaks
Scatter
Release Date: Feb 9, 2015
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Noise Pop, Shoegaze
Record label: Moshi Moshi Records
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Album Review: Scatter by Crushed Beaks
Fairly Good, Based on 6 Critics
Based on rating 7/10
Between their early singles and Scatter, Crushed Beaks made some big strides. The previously guitar-and-drums duo added bassist Scott Bowley to the fold, and recorded the songs that would become their debut album in Rome at film composer Fabio Frizzi's studio. Scatter is a beautiful-sounding album: Matthew Poile's alternately sparkling and storming guitars are never less than alluring -- particularly on the sweeping opener "April" -- while Alex Morris' drums are satisfyingly propulsive.
Based on rating 3.5
London trio Crushed Beaks are a band emblematic of a simpler age. Their fizzy brand of indie pop is reminiscent of the ITV Chart Show, cut price compilations and music magazines printed on broadsheet newspaper. In essence, they’re an indie band in its purest form. As such their short, sharp debut album Scatter is a satisfyingly easy listen.
Based on rating 3/5
Crushed Beaks’ debut album ‘Scatter’ is two years in the making. Starting out as an octopus-like band - in possession of 8 limbs, a guitar and a drum kit - the London band recently recruited a bassist. The band’s newest member, Scott Bowley, brings a new intensity to ‘Scatter’. The unleashed mayhem of Crushed Beaks’ earliest demos isn’t exactly tamed, but it does sound less ramshackle and gritty.
Based on rating 5/10
They used to be a two piece, and it shows. Crushed Beaks play with intensity and vitality, forming the reverb-drenched gauze of sound of people who need to make a lot out of little. The recent addition of a bassist has allowed them to fill and round their noise, but they haven’t fully inhabited the potential of their new line up. The songs on Scatter have a rich and warm tone which blends garage and shoegaze, but their lack of definition in songwriting ultimately leaves the collection lacking.
Opinion: Very Good
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Opinion: Very Good
On the face of it, London based trio Crushed Beaks are a daunting prospect. Three guys thrashing out turbo-fuelled guitar driven noise might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but based on their previous output, it probably should be. Beginning as a duo of Matt Poile and Alex Morris, who quickly bonded over a love of trashy rock and slasher B-movies, Crushed Beaks quickly garnered an infamous reputation shortly after their formation for sweaty, alcohol fuelled live shows.
'Scatter'
is available now