Phelps & Munro: Slowpoke
By Mike Beggs
Phelps & Munro is in fact the double-barrelled alias of Grey Lynn's singular Gerald Phillips. 'Slowpoke' is his debut album, but a couple of its tracks have done regular rotations on b.Net and travelled the airwaves to Britain (courtesy John Peel and Mr Scruff) and Australia. With guitar, keyboard and sampler Phillips channels equal parts post-rock - think the quieter, slower moments of Slint or Mogwai - and mangled electronica a la Squarepusher or Aphex Twin. The sum is a different sound altogether, playful and expansive. This is a solid album right through its hour length, but a few tracks stand out. Ex-Sports Star Turned Commentator is anchored by a jangled three-chord riff while discordant electronic wahs swirl around with strains of video game music. The simple but sweet Horse Winning Without Rider builds on a guitar melody, alternating soft and loud. Hat Hair crescendos with furious drum'n'guitar white heat. With the word-of-mouth momentum gathered even before 'Slowpoke's release, we're destined to hear more of Phelps & Munro. This debut is surely one of the best things to come from the bedroom studio milieu of late. Out through Round Trip Mars.
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