Sultans Of Ping FC - Casual Sex In The Cineplex [Cherry Red Records - 2018]Here’s a much need & long-awaited CD reissue of one of the classic slices of quirky & often playful indie rock/ punk pop from the 1990’s. Originally released in 1993 the wonderfully titled Casual Sex In The Cineplex offered-up twelve short ‘n’ sharp slices of melody driven, often energetically paced & lyrical playful guitar music. Formed in 1988 in Cork Ireland Sultans Of Ping FC where a four-piece project, and their name been a play words with the 1978 Dire Straits track "Sultans Of Swing". They first came to the attention of the British & Irish press in 92 with their decidedly catchy, naughtily buoyant & lyrical surreal anthem to lost clothes “Where's Me Jumper” became a hit. This led onto to a joint deal with Brit indie label Rhythm King & Epic Records, and the release of this their debut album.
Casual Sex In The Cineplex is a wonderful instant & distinctive debut album. Mostly focusing in on a selection of buoyant & playful indie punk-pop chuggers, which blending together the Psychobilly sleazy jerk of The Cramps, with 90’s indie punk punch, and a rapid-fire & cheeky lyrical Irish charm. Though it’s not all fast-paced fun, from time-to-time we get occasional dips into slower & more considered waters of guitar pop & playful folk-pop, that’s edged & embellished with some tuneful & accomplished harmonica playing. All twelve tracks are abound with amusing-at times surreal lyrics, which are delivered with a blend of speedy sneer, cheeky banter, and the occasional more richly sung & harmonic moments.
This double CD reissue on Cherry Red takes in a sixteen-page inlay booklet, which features a new write-ups about the bands rise to fame & their history. As well as a nice selection of EP & single cover art, band pictures, and live posters artwork.
The first disc is purely taken up by the debut album, and it’s fairly compact-yet-effective thirty six minute runtime. The second disc has a runtime of around forty-two minutes and brings together a worthy & enjoyable selection of EP tracks, B sides, and great energetic & fun-filled live recordings- that capture the band in fine form.
I guess you’d say I’m somewhat of a dabbler when it comes to 90’s guitar-based indie/ punk music- some of its ok, some of it’s just a retread of what went before, and some, like the Sultans of Ping, is( still) fresh & distinct. For many years this debut album was out-of-print- so it’s great now to have it back in this deluxe double CD form, and it’s fair to say it’s lost little of it’s charm, flair, and fun over the years. Roger Batty
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