07/07/2006: "glasswerk.co.uk review"

here's an album review from glasswerk.co.uk:

Hailing from the possible new ‘Sheffield’ that being Derby, Lardpony are here with their debut album This is Lardcore - a title that brings to mind a certain Pulp classic from the 90’s, a band they themselves site as an influence on their output.

The artwork on the album immediately point to this four piece having a sense of humour about what they do and it’s an assumption that continues once you spin the disc for a listen.

Made up of 16 tracks one may assume that this could be a magnum opus of endless length but fear not as Lardpony like to keep things very short and very kooky. This sense of fun and pop sunshine is further in evidence with track titles such as The Girl Who Loved Slaughter and Zombie Bride amongst a raft of smile-inducing nonsense. The sound is gorgeously thin and seems to have been recorded with the most basic of instruments and other assorted noise making devices they most probably bought in a variety of attic sales. Lead vocals come from Tom Morton and they range from the most delicate and wondrous tones to mad raucous shrieking of the oddest kind. Special reserve must be made for the stunning and marvels track I’m in Love (with a Noxious Gas) with its endless array of sublime and ridiculous lyrics that bring a combined reaction of heartbreak and laughter all in one. The track runs at a paltry one minute and fifty seconds but like a brief moment of eye contact with a stunningly beautiful girl it may not last long but its something that stays with you forever.

Just like the recent album by The Research, a band Lardpony have toured with, this is a gorgeously unpolished pop gem. As I write this review at 2am in the morning the temperature outside is still sticky and unforgiving, perhaps pointing to a summer of heat and laid back happiness. This perhaps being the case, Lardpony could be about to come bouncing out of radios nationwide. What we all need to do is pack away the rain-dance stick and hope for more endless sun and smiles so this gorgeous album can be found by every discerning ear within this isle of ours.

Review by: Aled Jones

Also whilst self-googling, I found this snippet about the gig in Sheffield we played before Christmas, which I shall post here in case it goes missing from "the rest of the internet":

"Next up were Derby’s Lardpony, who are an interesting and endearing little indie band. They put plenty of emphasis on Casio-style keyboards and make sure they never overstep the two-minute mark. They’ve got plenty of good choruses and were the most melodic outfit on display all day."

hooray!