THE INTERPRETATION of music, and how it impacts on people is highly subjective. Belfast's Sea Pinks are a case in point. Clashmusic.com calls them "akin to The Go-Betweens if they were born in a slightly colder climate".
There are also echos of early Cure, Felt, or eighties jangle-pop. Discernible also is a gentler, indie-rock, re-imagining of the tough and raucous r'n'b of Van Morrison's Them. In truth all of these interpretations have some validity.
The Belfast trio, led by singer/guitarist Neil Brogan, formerly of Girls Names, draw from a diverse range of inspirations to create indie rock of sweet melody and wistful melancholy, conversely underpinned by grit and muscle. All these qualities come together on their latest album, Soft Days, released via CF Records in January. London in Stereo described them best: "Take all the best aspects of outsider pop from the last decades and you've got Soft Days."
The band's fifth full length, following 2014’s Dreaming Tracks, Brogan has said of it: "This is the first record that was written and conceived with a three piece line up in mind. I think it’s a tighter, more cohesive record as a result.” The line-up is completed by bassist Steven Henry and drummer Davey Agnew.
Two singles have already come from the album - 'Depth of Field' and 'Yr Horoscope'. 'Depth of Field', a song extolling the virtues of uncertainty, has been described by DIYmag.com as "Part-Real Estate drifting ease…There's a fizz and fire defining their every step, but it's tamed by this constant desire to explore."
'Yr Horoscope' is in a different vein, with its surf-pop exuberance. Indeed The Line of Best Fit said it "bekcons the faraway summer with cruising surf-pop riffs and shimmering cheer-laced vocals."
Sea Pinks play the Róisín Dubh this Saturday [March 12] at 9pm. Support is from Tuam pop-punk trio Oh Boland and Hiva Oa. Admission is free.
