Posted on March 8, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

That Petrol Emotion is full of lifeblood

The clock of the ’80s is running late. New Romantics and hipsters are  knocking hard at that heaven discographic door, while nothing more of a re-polished line  from the not so distant punk way is left to see. Which way to turn for a fistful of blokes that had the privilege to play with The Undertones not to get teenage kicked? Mock Duran Duran? In econocrisis the right answer was to call Steve Mack from Seattle and call “That Petrol Emotion”.

Their first album is very significant on the potentiality of the band. It’s called “Manic Pop Thrill”, and gems like “Lettuce” and “Mouth Crazy” are the perfect balance between the soft romanticism of the latest wave and the dark tension of what’s left of the most obscure eighties indie scene. Add some imaginary choirs and “Fleshprint” is practically meant to repleace “Last day on Earth” on Pop Trash.

If the band would have been more kin to their debut’s single darker sound “Keen” they’d likely would have become the new Echo & The Bunnymen. Still wouldn’t that have been annoying? That’s why they took “the big decision and swamped”, making out “the ocean move” and starting the whole breakdance movement (Oy there! I’m J.O.K.I.N.G.!!) for one of the finest indie songs of the ’8os.

What happned then? The band got back toghether after 15 years for a show in NYC.  All the fellows from TPE were there. Wonder  if future Britt Daniel and Andew Birds were in the crowd as well.

That Petrol Emotion – “Fleshprint”

Let it ring on...

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