Though your correspondent must admit to being stupidly slow in getting around to reviewing this slice of ferocious 7" vinyl action, unsung Leeds' superstars Wrath! Records' releases are always worth backtracking to, and this lethal two-tracker is - predictably - no exception.
For the (still) uninitiated, BEING 747 are the brainchild of one Dave Cooke, arguably the finest songwriter to have emerged from Huddersfield and formerly of the renowned Landspeed Loungers. With his partners in crime Steve and Paul Morricone from Leeds' neighbours The Scaramanga Six brandishing the sonic crowbars and balaclavas, they make a rather delicious noise that has got noticeably heavier of late.
And with "DIY Prescriptions" they've scrubbed up another bizarre classic between them. The song itself concerns the potentially self-service future of the NHS ("Right prognosis, wrong disgnosis!" runs part of the eyebrow-raising lyric) and rumbles along sounding wired, punky and within centimetres of the end of its' tether. It's a bit of a departure, but none the worse of that and shows off the band's new biceps of steel to great effect.
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Although Leeds' THE LODGER can't hope to match Cooke and co in the sheer power stakes, they make a good fist of their deceptively anaemic, but actually bloody insidious pop malarkey. Their recent single "Many Thanks For Your Honest Opinion" on Dance To The Radio was quietly impressive and this 'un recalls Pulp with Lawrence from Felt coralled into action as frontman. It's slightly weedy, but surprisingly attractive for all that.
Fine single, then, and - with only 300 copies pressed up - highly desirable AND collectible into the bargain. More proof, if any were needed, that Leeds has been boiling up to greatness for years and didn't suddenly explode, despite what certain outlets would currently have us believe.
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