On first listen of Pilot’s debut E.P a whole tirade of easy, unimaginative comparisons come to light; White Lies, Editors, The Killers, Joy Division, The Cure.  Like a lot of bands around at the moment, they seem to be ploughing a semi-gloomy otherworldly path, with lots of talk of electricity sparking from cores and people dreaming of cosmonauts.  To be frank, it didn’t inspire a lot of confidence in me initially, bored as I have recently become with this rather tepid strand of rock n’ roll.

     
Happy a day it was then the realisation came that a conclusion had been jumped to, and that these young bunch of whippersnappers have got a lot more to offer.

     
The two opening songs are those most guilty of playing the gloom rock game, with ‘Monday’s Child’ coming across like a less urgent Joy Divison, and 'Cosmonauts' bringing to mind Brandon Flowers without the silly jackets.

   
Its on the third track, ‘Untitled’, that Pilots come to life, sounding like a mash-up of The Strokes and The Cure.  It’s a scuzzy little thing, sounding as if it could have come off the Is This It cutting room floor.  It hints at greater imagination and a sense of fun.

      
‘Alarms’ is a single in waiting, with a driving jingle jangle.    Lead singer Josh Taylor’s voice is far far stronger when he’s singing normally, as opposed to affecting the low demi-growl that dominates the first two tracks.  It’s, whisper it, a sweet sounding track with the addition of non-synthy keys just right.

     
‘Kaleidoscope’ has a bit of funky bass pushing it along; a welcome sign that they are dance to a happier tune.  It’s got another emotive vocal as Taylor sings of a ‘kaleiscopic vision’, with the synths this time being very welcome, lending the song a dramatic, last-song-of-the-night atmosphere.

      
So a good band Pilots are indeed, with a few different stylistic options in the locker.    My personal preference for their more idiosyncratic stuff is pure personal choice, and down to the fact I think there’s too many of these shadowy sorts around.  That doesn’t mean they’re not listenable or enjoyable enough, but it’s the middle three tracks on this E.P that hint at a potential for greater things.

Check them out here:

http://www.myspace.com/pilotslondon

Posted In Demo Corner, Mar 16 2010. Words - Terry