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The Duke SpiritCuts Across The Land Loog Records/Polydor/UMG For some reason the I immediately thought of Waikiki the first time I heard The Duke Spirit. Now don't throw this paper down in disgust, I realise that this is a strange comparison. Just think about it though; if Waikiki grew up on the wrong side of the tracks or were raised by wolves, earned some street cred and got some balls, then they just might sound like The Duke Spirit. After all, it's just too damned easy to say that Leila Moss' vocals have a PJ Harvey quality, however accurate the comparison. As the album rips through shadowy tracks, seemingly swaggering into dark, wall-papered pubs and scuffing through back streets, it is clear that The Duke Spirit have something on their mind, and it's not exactly a picnic. Each gritty song has a distorted blues undertone that drags the songs along like a riptide. Moss' vocals are never added as a garnish: they dominate, coupling an air of femininity with a no-nonsense attitude. Each track is instantly memorable, but it takes a few listens to notice the subtle, unique differences between each song and thus appreciate the album as a whole. Another band that sprung to mind when listening to 'Cuts Across The Land' was Scottish duo Sluts Of Trust. The same dank, sweaty integrity and slow burning fire are present in The Duke Spirit's approach to their debut record, which grows more impressive with every listen.  |
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