Russell's Teapot - Desire EP Format: Album Release Date: 1st Sep 2008 Label: Earth Connection Rating: Russell’s Teapot is like nothing you have heard before. The debut EP ‘Desire’ is a collection of five songs that cannot be pigeon-holed nor can they be compared to each other. ‘Desire’ is tapas for music lovers - a bit of everything to satisfy everyone. It is unpredictable and definitely moreish. ‘Broadcast’ is definitely the calamari (everyone likes that don’t they?). It has the quirky originality that shot Lightspeed Champion to fame. Luring you in with the promise of a lovely indie-esque three and a half minutes of acoustic then shocks you with some dirty chill out electro-dance beats underneath. It really is something else. Russell Alsop, the genius that is Russell’s Teapot has a swoon-inducing voice similar to that of Dev Hynes (Lightspeed Champion) and the excellent pronunciation of Bloc Party’s Kele. Not only that but he knows how to use his electronics. ‘Hindsight Devotee’ is an intricately experimental track with no easy beat to catch onto. It’s almost the breather track of the EP but is by no means a slow ‘un. Dark, instrumental title track ‘Desire’ is the kind of song that would get Bjork excited. Slow, moody and dream-like. You know the songs played on adverts like Orange and Vodafone? Adverts where perfect people are having a perfect time frolicking through fields having picnics? Well ‘Big Man’ is the perfect song for that. It has such a delicately chirpy yet simple melody with an almost tribal chanting in the background forming the beat. Contrasted with Alsop’s rather satirical lyrics, it really is a summer treat. There really is no way you won’t like at least one track on this EP. They’re all so different and there’s even guilty pleasure song ‘Heaven’s Gate’ for those partial to a bit of cheese now and then. This EP is a journey into the modern world of music. Take from it what you will. But you will put it on repeat!

Written by: Shelly Jo Elcock