Cat's Eyes – Cat's Eyes (2011)
Produced by Steve Osborne
Faris Badwan
Rachel Zeffira
Track listing:
01. Cat's Eyes (2:38)
02. The Best Person I Know (3:10)
03. I'm Not Stupid (2:57)
04. Face In The Crowd (2:49)
05. Not A Friend (2:11)
06. Bandit (3:02)
07. Sooner Or Later (3:59)
08. The Lull (2:39)
09. Over You (2:30)
10. I Knew It Was Over (2:14)
Released in 2011 “Cat's Eyes” is the Debut album by English/Canadian duo Cat's Eyes. Cat's Eyes was formed by The Horrors Faris Badwan and Rachel Zeffira after Faris introduced Zeffira to the music of 60’s girl groups. They made their live debut at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City in front of seven cardinals. In February 2011 the band released their first ep “Broken Glass” on the Polydor label and that was followed in April by this album.
The album opens with “Cat's Eyes” which is reminiscent of the Ravonettes mixed with Devo. This track has a great rhythm and strong verses but the chorus is a little weak. The sound is very garage/lofi and almost overdriven at times. It’s a fun tune and a nice way to start the album.
“The Best Person I Know” follows on which slows the pace down. This tune is sounds like Mercury Rev with a female vocalist. It also for some reason reminded me of Air’s “Kelly Watch The Stars”. The backing is stripped back with minimal keyboards and horns.
A similar sound is continued on “I'm Not Stupid” but with fuller instrumatation. The song has a strong melody in the verses and backing vocals are really nice here. Some jaunty piano later in the song adds a nice new texture to the song.
“Face In The Crowd” was my first introduction to the group when I caught the video late one night. A driving tune in the vein of Scott Walker this is the strongest tune on the album. The vocals are great as well. One of the singles of the year.
Following on is “Not A Friend” which is similar to “The Best Person I Know” & “I'm Not Stupid”. There is some nice woodblock on this track and the melody reminds me of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” by The Shirelles. Nice tune.
Next is “Bandit” a track with a Spaghetti Western feel to it. The backing track has some nice eastern flavoured instrumentation and the Backing Vocals are great. It has a Portishead feel with vocals treated and chopped. Cool track.
“Sooner Or Later” is next and is a full blown Nick Cave tribute. A grinding tune that reminded me of a song like “The Carney”. This is the track that is most like the Horrors. Dark and industrial. A really good track.
The stripped back “The Lull” follows on. This is a sweet almost Disney song with some coral vocals and nice instrumentation. The vocals are understated and the lyric are quite sweet.
“Over You” follows on and has a baggy feel to it with keyboards that remind me of the Charlatans. The song has a strong beat and some nice 60’s rock band instrumentation. The melody is strong with a great chorus. Rachel’s vocals are really strong here.
The album ends with “I Knew It Was Over” a piano ballad with a nice vocal from Faris. The background vocals are sublime and make most of the main backing apart from a minimal piano signature. A a nice tune and a great way to finish the album.
A really interesting album and a band I hope does more music in the future. The album does lag in places but there is nothing I don't enjoy here. A strong collection of off kilter pop songs.
7/10
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