Headache review – Famous Last Words
After receiving a tip-off recently by somebody closely associated with Polish indie band Trupa Trupa and their third album release ‘Headache’, the information given proved highly reliable because what you get here is an intriguing combination of alternative rock with dabs of psychedelia and tales of a darkly twisted nature.
With the album having been recorded at Dickie Dreams studio in Gdansk, Poland, Trupa Trupa set their songs to tape and ended up with eleven numbers that have been garnering attention throughout Europe. With Grzegorz Kwiatkowski leading the line in a combined effort of singing and spoken word that sometimes sounds off-kilter, and deliberately so when placed next to the harsh instrumentation of the opening ‘Snow’ for example, it may take a while for others to acclimatise to such methods of expression. The unconventional vocal of the aforementioned ‘Snow’ is not duplicated however, but developed in other ways that shows up ‘Headache’ as record that challenges itself creatively, by continually pushing itself judging by the shifting moods of the songs. Such a suggestion can be ascertained from the cloud of paranoia hanging over ‘Halleyesonme’, with added grey by way of synths and a stony drum beat, only to finally find its emotional release via the ensuing ‘Sky Is Falling’ that starts off peaceful enough, before Grzegorz Kwiatkowski finds his voice that is! With ‘Sacrifice’ providing a comedown of sorts with its dishevelled appearance and hazy rhythm bringing to mind Syd Barrett, and The Beatles experiments with psychedelia. Further on, ‘Give ‘Em All’ is Trupa Trupa having the final say, but deceptively wrapped in a warm fuzzy haze that is a delight to hear in the same way that ‘Rise and Fall’ allows for a few drops of sweetness in its vocals and instruments. Deeply immersed in their work and remaining steadfast to their beliefs and vision , Trupa Trupa triumph greatly with their third long player ‘Headache’, that sets up a number of challenges for the listener, as well as providing moments of sheer beauty and wonderment, the kind of which is all too scarce these days.