The Recommender

Before we moved to Brighton and gave birth to The Recommender we lived in the city of Oxford.  Any tourist would expect a collection of Olde English charm upon arrival in ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’, yet Oxford consistently drops the jaws of even the best-researched visitor, with not only its history and architecture but also its amazing atmosphere.  Stroll through the cobbled streets between the universities at night and you feel the city breathing its story at you through it’s 1000 year old walls.  However, there’s another Oxford and it continues to be an important part of its culture – the music.  We all know of Ride, Radiohead, Supergrass et al, but the evolution continues with Foals and more recently with Trophy Wife.  The cities connotations and unique atmosphere seem to bleed into the music, for even though all the aforementioned bands created different sounds, they all seem to have an intellectuality, alongside a middle class feel within them.  However, any link of a musical caste is a little presumptive, for Oxford also has it’s mix of cultures, classes and deprivation.  Is the link found in the accent (or lack of one)?  Is it missing an edge more easily obtained from the likes of Manchester, Glasgow or London?  Either way, the unifying thing is an intangible element, but clearly the commonality is something very ‘Oxford’.  Trophy Wife have all the potential to rise to the heights of their forebears and a slot supporting Foals on their Autumn tour will aid them, as well as unify their geographical ties.  Two original tracks are floating around, being light and bubble-like in their nature as they are.  The excellent Take This Night begins with a twinkle and a tap, before a guitar riff dances into view.  The layered, angelic vocals complete the picture and the dreamy ride is off, as they speak directly to you about “secret places” and requesting that you “take me there“.  It’s the musical equivalent of dancing with your eyes closed – all encompassing, but peaceful.  Before you realise it you’ve been transported to a disco pace and a thick set of musical stratum.  The sound is perfected on the track Microlite, with the charm switched on from the start, pushing a metronomic four beat behind vocals that remind us of The Stone Roses at their haziest and most yearning.  It’s rare to find music this delicate and fragile, that still affects your feet as much as your mind.  Like the city the trio call home, theirs is a sound throbbing with atmosphere and energy, whilst maintaining a classy brume throughout.  (MB)

Find them here:        Myspace

Hear them here:       TROPHY WIFE -MICROLIGHT

Hear them here:        TROPHY WIFE – TAKE THIS NIGHT