Belleville started out in 2008 when mark and mike were introduced by a mutual friend to drummergirl, who later became known as laura. Mark jumped shipped to south america for a few months but returned to quit work and set up a little studio in Dalston. Recording started soon after and the bands debut record was finished in spring 2011. London trio belleville take a left of centre approach to songwriting on their debut album.
Using traditional rock instrumentation, the group have formulated a gorgeously minimal approach - cutting out any non-essential elements. Overdriven but melodic guitars are used for bedding harmonies straight out of the american loose-lipped and low-slung underground. There's elements of Dinosaur Jr in the wired, countrified guitar and the replacements in the vocals which are delivered with much off-the-cuff aplomb.
The songs have an occasional touch of meat puppets looseness, on 'i don't fear god' for example, while opener 'ascendancy' touches on something more minimal and unconventional with its drones and overtones. Overall a strong opening long player.
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