Furry Things – The Big Saturday Illusion
Furry Things were around from 1993 to 1998 and were yet another great band to be featured on King Coffey’s Trance Syndicate label. While I sort of prefer the earlier stages of the band when they were more interested in pedal effects and harsh garage-like feedback, all of their records were pretty enjoyable listens. Their later stuff, such as the Frequent Lunacy EP and their second album Moments Away drifted into a more new wave/trip hop area that pretty much did away with the abrasiveness of their previous releases. However, their first album The Big Saturday Illusion is a great find for anyone that is into a harsh shoegazy sound. Furry Things often remind me of Medicine (the first incarnation), which is actually pretty interesting considering that Brad Laner of Medicine did collaborate with the band during their brief existence.
Don’t let the Medicine comparisons tell the complete story here though, although for some that might be all they need. However, The Big Saturday Illusion can stand on it’s own in terms of originality and bringing something interesting to the plate. Even on this album there was still a slight hint of where their sound would eventually end up like on the song “Porno Queen’s Love Dive”, which is purely instrumental and features a very danceable drum beat throughout. The Big Saturday Illusion also leans more heavily on a psychedelic sound rather than constantly opting for in the red blistering feedback, although there is indeed a lot of that too to be found on the album. Really, the album offers quite a bit of variety within to keep it from coming off as just a one trick pony. The band spreads their sound all the way from garage to at times a completely fried psychedelic spaced out journey such as on the eight minute long “Piled High”. Regardless, The Big Saturday Illusion is an album that should definitely be checked out for those that are fans of a harsher shoegaze sound or just noise-pop in general. Although the album is pretty good on its own, a couple of my favorite tracks by the band happen to come from either singles or compilation appearances, which I have posted below as well…so do check those out as well.
The Big Saturday Illusion:
Furry Things – Still California [MP3]
Furry Things – Take You Away [MP3]
Still California/Car Songs 7’’:
Furry Things – Car Songs [MP3]
VA – Cinco Anos (Trance Syndicate Compilation):
Furry Things – Everything New [MP3]
If the tunes above peak your interest at all, The Big Saturday Illusion and most of their other releases can be had over at Amazon for fairly cheap used and maybe even new if you do some shopping. Anyway, pick this up. Well worth it.
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