Life Without Buildings
Country of origin:
Scotland
Type of music generally:
Alternative pop
Status:
The band broke up in 2002; most recent release Live at the Annandale Hotel (2007); sole full-length studio release, Any Other City (2000)
See also:
Wikipiedia's entry for Life Without Buildings
Comparisons:
Mix Altered Images, Sugarcubes-era Björk's and Sleater Kinney. Then shake it up.
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
This band has an immediately distinctive sound. Sue Tompkins not-quite-baby voice belting out staccato (and interesting) lyrics with an energetic sound behind her, as though Altered Images were reborn in 2000 having lived through punk and come out the other side into pop, dragging their roots behind them. It's where pop and post-punk meet, and of course it's a Scottish band that delivers it.
Something in the style of Sue Tompkins' talk-singing reminds me of Claire Grogan of Altered Images, but the band's sound is more influenced by post-punk than that; something like Björk's Sugarcubes era or maybe Sleater Kinney. In fact, I've seen their sound described as what might happen if Sleater Kinney coerced Björk into singing for them. Add some great musicians. (Neile)
Recommended first album:
Any Other City
Recordings:
- Any Other City (2000)
- Live at the Annandale Hotel (live, 2007)
Any Other City
Release info:
2000—DC/Baltimore 2012/Tugboat Records—DCB 003
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for any post-punk/pop fans
Group members:
Sue Tompkins—vocals
Will Bradley—drums
Chris Evans—bass
Robert Johnston—guitar
Produced by:
Andy Miller
Comments:
I love this album. The well-crafted songs have an impressive DIY energy. I'm not always in the right mood for this, but when I am there's nothing like it. Anyone who can sing the words "the right stuff" in so many different ways is all right by me. The whole album is full of great songs and intriguing lyrics. It's sad that this is their sole studio album. (Neile)
Live at the Annandale Hotel
Release info:
2007—Absolutely Kosher Records—AK071
Availability:
Wide in U.S.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for any post-punk/pop fans
Group members:
Will Bradley—drums
Chris Evans—bass
Robert Johnston—guitar
Sue Tompkins—vocals
Comments:
It's hard for me to say just what I find so appealing about Life Without Buildings, but it's definitely here on this life album. Something about the energy I suppose, and the juxtaposition of the Sue Tompkins' vocals against the driving instrumentation. Whatever it is, I find it charming, and this album makes me wish I'd seen them live. (Neile)
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