Dappled Cities - 'The Price'

Sydney bright sparks Dappled Cities return with a grand first taste from their newie Zounds.

'The Price' is an epic, at least in intentions. Those dirty chugging guitar sounds that lead in the track are a red herring; the second it kicks in the track is swamped by swelling string and synth sounds over a typically Modest Mouse/Flaming Lips stomp. Tim Derricourt sings "And something should be holding us back / Something should be weighing us down". Ambition? Big ideas? Not this time. It's grand in scope and I tell you, it's quietly thrilling to see a band - one that champions 'pop' but still skirts the mainstream - attempting something this ambitious.

The band's labour and second guessing on the recording process for Zounds bled through on their recording diary. (Which now, for the life of me I can't find as it seems like they've completely reset their Blog, Myspace and home page. Orwellian! And a shame.) With a new drummer, a US record deal on the Dangerbird label sealed and regular visits to SXSW and beyond under their belt, the band's confidence is showing.

Zounds is out mid-August and the band are playing a few shows beforehand round the end of July. You can download 'The Price' now via www.zoundssounds.com.