London quartet THE CORTEZ LOOP are the brainchild of young singer/ songwriter Alex Gordon: a man whose 22 years belie months spent honing his band's definitve line-up and touring with the likes of Paul Weller and Tthe Electric Soft Parade as he learned his craft.
The graft appears to have paid off, too, because this eponymous 4-track debut EP is the sound of promise aplenty and the showcase for an apparent knack for diversity which will stand The Cortez Loop in good stead as they move forward over the next 12 months.
Produced with power and clarity by Jan 'Stan' Kybert (Weller, Oasis, Massive Attack), lead cut "Home Of The Blind" is abrasively impressive. It's confident, sleazy and extremely well-drilled and rushes forth on jagged, sidewinding Stooges/ Primals riffing. The way Gordon blatantly includes the line "every fuckin' one o' ya" in the chorus shows off a cocksure composure and indeed his grainy, nicotined vocals are a thing of wonder on their own. They come steeped in experience (an indie Lemmy, anyone?) and belie his tender 22 years of age.
Good start, though this writer is less enamoured of some of what ensues, especially "Straitjacket", which kicks into life via some strong, bukcing bronco riffs, but gives way to a mildly funky premise that's too redolent of Weller or (whisper it) Kula Shaker for its' own good. It makes a lot of noise, but ultimately it's much ado about very little and best glossed over.
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Thankfully, things improve with the arrival of "The Landing." This one drifts in on churchy organ and teardrop guitars and is the very epitome of slowburning and moody without pandering to too many stadium dynamics. Gordon's vocals are again leather-lunged and memorable and - bizarrely - one Jamie Cullum appears on this track if you check out the small print. Well, if that's him providing the full-blooded, Jon Lord-style hammond organ, then respect is belatedly due from these quarters.
"The Cortez Loop" also leaves a positive impression by signing off with "Turn You Around." This is very much the other side of the coin from the bluster displayed during the EP'S first three tracks, with Gordon accompanied only by a lonely acoustic guitar, shades of a bassline and strategic organ hymnals. It brings the scream down to a murmur and the sparseness and vulnerability suit his muse to a T.
All in all, then, an eclectic treat and a good way to get acquainted with The Cortez Loop. Consider our interest piqued for future developments.
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