Seagull Strange

Music:

Member Since: 11/16/2005
Band Website: seagullstrange.com
Band Members: Dan Telling:
Lead vocals & guitar

Millins:
Guitar & vocals

Stu Reid:
Guitar & vocals

Chris Mapp:
Drums

O.B:
Bass

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"Before passing judgement on this record I am going to make a confession. Yes, a real, profound, confession. My favourite record of all time is 'Loveless' by My Bloody Valentine, a record that I discovered in my teens at least a decade after it had originally been released. What is the relevance, I hear you cry, you are surely some kind of egotistical prick and finally, what is the connection to 'Love's Sick Disease'? All good questions.

There is a deep sense of existential alienation at the root of 'Love's Sick Disease' that reminded me of the films of Herzog and Bergman, when both were angry young filmmaking muthafuckas. This may be incidental to some, but to me it signifies the fact that this is a band who mean it . When Dan Telling sings "Waiting here for love's sick disease. And if you could change? What would you change for a sweet memory." to the strains of maudlin percussion, before launching into the eponymous chorus, it has such striking virtue that this humble reviewer was left horizontal clasping for his Joy Division records. The self destructive, intoxicating and, let's be honest here, dangerous beast that falling in love is, is purely conveyed in a form that I have not witnessed for some time.

'Loveless' posed questions about identity and relationships in a sonic whirl of nihilism and indifference. 'Love's Sick Disease' is a latter day companion piece. Utterly unpretentious, and seething with self-loathing, this is indispensable."
Subba Cultcha

"They have crafted an album of rich layered indie-pop gems. Powerful, haunting and sometimes beautiful, Seagull Strange hook you from the silent, growing opening of ‘The Clone Icarus’ right through until the last remnants of closer ‘It’s a Shame’ flit and fade as the last embers of ‘Better Angels Of Our Nature’. If you like your indie grandiose and emotive then this really should be lodged in your top ten records of the year right through to December."
Subba Cultcha

"...think parts of Muse's operatic leanings, Snow Patrol's lighters-in-the-air bombast and Placebo's vocal strains."
NME

“Tis strange stuff, indeed – but it’s utterly intoxicating. Hic.”
The Fly

"Better Angels of Our Nature has to be the best American record done by an English band ever. It's part Ryan Adams, part REM but it's that very English tilt on it (those vocals, that creeping piano) that makes it the haunting beauty is turned out to be. Coming on like Seafood's finest moments of delicacy and power the album develops and unfolds into the unexpected. ...a great little number of a record. But maybe that's what Seagull Strange are all about; good songs and quite simply being one of the best listens you'll have in a long time."
High Voltage

"...a captivating new album...a fantastic collection of songs...it would be good to see this in many a record collection."
Is This Music?

"They have delivered a set of songs that are slow burning, reflective... like a cross between REM, Eels, and Mercury Rev."
Artrocker

"A genuine grower"
Maps Magazine

"To its credit, this can be a hard record to pigeon-hole. While the album has some quite heavy riffs there is also a definite folk feel to the whole thing that pulls it into alt-rock territory; think R.E.M in their more introspective moments, and occasionally in the midst of the heavier tracks it's reminiscent of Pearl Jam (especially the vocals). Then again at times, seemingly out of the blue, they produce a danceable indie-disco track like 'Run Pig Run' or a full on electro tinged keyboard led foot stomping number like 'Adam Vs Eve' - the fact that this is followed with 'It's A Shame' which sounds like Neil Young at his best says it all ; eclectic. The album's brilliance lies in the way the band has managed to use such a variety of styles yet still stamp their very distinctive sound on each track. The way that they do this so seamlessly, without you really noticing they've jumped genres is quite an achievement and makes this debut a very mature and accomplished sounding effort, one worth checking out."
Room Thirteen

Bristol six piece Seagull Strange could quite possibly be one of the most mercurially astute ensembles on the underground scene right now.
The Sunday Experience

"Seagull Strange are destined to be one of the most popular up and coming bands of 2007. The album is outstanding, easy to listen to, and makes a refreshing change from so many current bands whose every song sounds the same. This is well worth a listen, 10 out of 10."
Western Eye

"Flicking through their MySpace page brings up a long list of comparisons from REM, Eels, Placebo and Mercury Rev to Muse which if nothing else prove most reviewers are still struggling to put their finger on what Seagull Strange actually sound like. This however is a good thing as sounding like someone else is, well a bit shit frankly. So what do they sound like? Well suffice it to say there are tiny elements of all the above but this is really muscular pop, with thoughtful lyrics, proper choruses, some crunching guitars and, in Dan Telling (formerly one half of King Louis), a front-man of no little charisma and talent."
Total Music Magazine

"It's quickly apparent that Seagull Strange know the power and value of simple, bone-slicing riffing and they also know that true cleverness wears a simple hat. All of which means that this is a band, or album at least, that can be enjoyed, re-evaluated, replayed, and loved for several reasons"
Unpeeled Magazine

"We have to give accolades where accolades are due and they are definitely due on this strange yet coherent cd. Here is a band that really knows the term "self-expression" and uses every bit of their high level talent in songwriting and performance to produce an entertaining yet thought provoking cd. The musicianship is flawless coupled with powerful expression of vocals in this Alt-Rock band. Their sound and their presentation is as big as any I have heard in this genre and well displays individual and collective talents within this group. Did I mention this is a strange cd? This is a cd that provides full entertainment value. Now that's the way it should be, isn't it?"
Neon Productions Radio USA

"Honestly, there is not a single unsatisfactory song on the album."
LooseyLucy (US E-Zine)

"Wunderbar!"
Ancient Spirit

“The debut album from Bristol boys, and girl, Seagull Strange is a classy affair, full of catchy leftfield pop and some rather twisted lyrics. One of Bristol’s best, and most inventive bands have really delivered here.”
24Seven

“Better Angels of Our Nature is a work of sophisticated, literate pop-rock wholly deserving of a very wide audience indeed.”
Venue

"A neat little project it is too, full of catchy pop hooks, ethereal vocals, angular guitars and a mix of genres from 80s electronica to 70s prog folk to 90s art rock, with snippets of everyone from Fleetwood Mac to T-Rex to The Auteurs thrown in for good measure.""
MusicOMH.com

“Some kind of big bold, slick, indie pop band with a lush synth undercurrent.”
Organ Magazine

“Seagull Strange, a six-piece fronted by the enigmatic Daniel Telling, have become familiar faces on the Bristol music scene, never failing to amaze with their haunting, brooding songs and their frontman’s unforgettable, intense vocals. They produced one of the best main stage sets of last years Ashton Court Festival. A band who really do warrant the label "unique".”
Evening Post

Record Label: www.shiftydisco.co.uk
Type of Label: Indie