Clacton (my home town) is not known for it's musical talent but as a seaside resort. Songstress Sade is the only name of note from around these parts but that could all be set to change...

In January Death By Chocolate released their first album on Jetset Records (the US label of Mogwai, Arab Strap & Black Box Recorder) and it is as close to a drug trip as you will get without inhaling any toxins. I suppose you are wondering why the review is up now? Simple... it was so widely ignored on release, it isn't outdated! (and it is National Chocolate Day, how convenient)

Lead singer Angela Faye Tillet mainly spoken style of vocal goes excellently over the music best described as 'The soundtrack to a children's program directed by Salvador Dali on acid with The Monkees making a guest apperance.'

As well as the actual songs there are several spoken word excerpts where Mrs. Tillet reads out what appears to be random wordings... like what you see while looking out of a window while reading a newspaper over breakfast... surreal!

Songs such as the covers to the theme tune of kids tv program 'Magpie' and Dudley Moore's 'The LS Bumblee Bee' are class in their own right but the stand out tracks are Mrs. Tillets own.

'Land Of Chocolate' is a song about different kinds of chocolate and the joys of them. From Crunchies to Wispas, all aspects are covered with the support of an almost bubbley, dream like soundscape and Ice Cold Lemonade is a great 70's psychadelic trip.

All in all, this in pop at it's most surreal. I don't think they will ever be main stream, or even popular, but for those who are privelliged enough to find them, it is a real pleasure. Described as an 'eclectic mixture of toy psychedelia, surrealism & bubblegum'... couldn't put it any better myself!