With Hanoi Janes’s Across the Sea release, the third of five recent Captured Tracks 7” purchases, I think I’ve found the perfect counter to the depression-filled dreary days that is the Portland winter. With the name taken from the much publicized Vietnam War incident, this group of Germans from the Sachsen region have pieced together some of the best lightheartedly fun music I’ve heard in a while. I mean, look at that picture above, doesn’t it make you want to be the fourth in whatever board game they’re playing?
Similar in both name and overall playfulness as The Sandwitches’s “Back to Sea”, the A-side “Across the Sea” is a gem of a track. With a collage of sound coming from tripleting guitar line, the communal “OOooOOoos” of the chorus, and the mallet chimes, the song is ripe for a Go Team! comparison — even exhibiting the lo-fi recording hiss that their British counterparts prefer to use. The real treat is at the 100 second mark where a small improv section of raucous guitar is inserted which blazes a trail up until the abrupt ending.
The B-side “Skeleton Girl” (not to be confused with The Evangelicals “Skeleton Man”, however they would make for a nice pair) maintains the momentum of the reverse-side. No doubt the chants of “ooOOoos” are a bit repetitive, but the track is mostly a new, cleaner beast, featuring more intricate drumming and less muddy guitars. Calling to mind a less-poppy version of Happy Birthday’s “Girls FM”, “Skeleton Girl” is certainly more indie rock than it’s A-side predecessor, making for a well-rounded 7”.
You can listen to “Across the Sea” below and if you like it, head on over to the Rose Quartz where they have some additional songs for download, or just cop the 7” from C/T here.
