On more than one occasion I found myself plugging the merits of sound recording engineer Robin Sutherland as Dundee’s answer to Jack Endino. The reference was more about Robin extracting amazing sounds from tiny budgets as opposed to any technical comparison of approaches. For example, he recorded the Bronto Skylift 7″ released on Pet Piranha a while back. Then, as you do, Robin moved to Finland.
Step forward Ross Middlemiss. Previously fronting Dundee band Pensioner (their album remains an undiscovered classic), Ross is now one of the city’s go to guys if your band needs some recording expertise without having to sell a kidney. Today he’s releasing a solo record under the guise of ‘Little Anchors’ entitled, “A Searing Analysis of Pretty Much Everything”.
More than anything else, this blogpost exists not so much to review but to simply let you know that “A Searing Analysis of Pretty Much Everything” exists.
My take on it? There’s a slight post-rock influence running throughout and on track two, the epic sounding ‘a quarter size shy‘, the overall soundscape is preferred to vocal clarity.
Due to my familiarity with Pensioner, on first listen I found this slightly frustrating. The melody emerges but only if you’re prepared to pay attention.
As the saying goes, you are rewarded with repeated listens. Not surprising really given that Ross knows his way around a mixing desk.
The songwriting craft on display is head and shoulders above many other up-and-coming Scottish bands. But like so many other acts hidden in Dundee, it remains to be seen how many people will discover Little Anchors. Esperi for example had been around a long time before anyone noticed. Ross isn’t the type to need or look for attention so it’s hard to say if or when these songs might get a live airing.
For now, head over to http://littleanchors.bandcamp.com/ and take a listen for yourself. If you choose to support his work and buy the music, all proceeds will be donated to the Scottish Association for Mental Health.
