Released on 14/10/2002
Label: Good Records

There's more than a hint of 'Soft Bulletin' era Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev about this single from every Hoxtonite's favourite band of last month. Imagine Jonathan Donahue fronting a Sherwood Forest community music project, playing Flaming Lips covers... then try and shake yourself from that blissful reverie.

Because that's only the half of it. The instrumentation takes in flutes (who said the flute had no place in rock'n'roll?), harpsichord, strings, brass and that 10-piece choir. As well, of course, as the usual trapping of your average Camden pub band.

'Hanging Around' is a somewhat brief introduction but fun nonetheless. So next time you see 25 blissed out folk in white robes following you down Oxford Street, no need to run for cover.

    by James Poletti