Theoretical Girl – Divided

Theoretical Girl - Divided

Referencing Glenn Branca’s Seventies NY No Wave outfit in name only, London-based Amy Turnnidge, after a string of EPs stretching back to 2006 (including at least one re-issue), releases her debut full-length offering on Memphis Industries.

Kirsty MacColl springs to mind on listening to the first few of the dozen songs on Theoretical Girl‘s album; there’s a vocal similarity and a shared pop sensibility wrapped in engagingly dark undertones on many of the tracks, particularly the electro ‘Dancehall Deceit’. ‘I Should Have Loved You More’ is though the one that, for me, nails the comparison most squarely – the sweetly English Rose vocals over rather Renaissance-sounding strings and a thoroughly progressive drum riff are just lovely.

The strings are again used to good effect on the title track before things go rather punky on the most recent single ‘Red Mist’. Certainly nothing wrong with that but the song does tend to be rather one dimensional unfortunately, despite having a decent lengthed thrashy wind-out. ‘Good Timing’ strays attractively into the fringes of Dresden Dolls territory before ‘The Biggest Mistake’ firmly returns us to the land of pop. Final song ‘The Hypocrite’ closes things out in the rockier style of the other tracks previously released as singles so the album at least ends on a decent upbeat note. There’s definite talent and craft a-plenty on display in this product and it’s a grower but, despite that and the eye-catching artwork that I also like a lot, I have my doubts as to whether sound theory will develop into popular practice.

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