The Pure Conjecture - Courgettes
- Written by Kenneth McMurtrie
Boasting amongst their ranks members of such groups as British Sea Power, Brakes, Electric Soft Parade and The Hazey Janes to name but a few, The Pure Conjecture is a supergroup wherein the individuals’ names probably mean less to the average punter than do those of their usual outfits. What though is in a name? The sounds they’re producing are the thing and a well put together one at that.
The aforementioned sound on Courgettes brings to mind The Style Council and The Blow Monkeys, referencing as it does the blue eyed soul elements of those groups. Weightier tunes like 'All The Cherries Are Gone' reminded me of Dexy's Midnight Runners. As the press release states there aren't a great deal of bands in the UK purveying this kind of sound right now and the tightness of the playing coupled with that refreshing individuality makes for a pretty irresistible combination.
Whilst 'Knock Three Times' isn't (thankfully) a cover of the Tony Orlando & Dawn song of the same name, two of the album's nine tracks are covers - 'Go Solo' by Hall & Oates and Danny Pearson's 'What's Your Sign, Girl?'. Both fit the mood of the overall album sound and I expect do fair justice to the originals. Whilst then the initial energy of the work gives way to a slower and more laidback dinner table vibe, it wouldn't be fair to label this as unthinking background music as the soul behind it definitely has a capital S and quick follow-up more in the vein of second track 'The Throat' would be very welcome.