by I wonder if Eva and Grace Tedeschi, the sisters behind The Cords, thought that comparisons may be immediately drawn between their new band and a band with, almost, the same name, The Chords. Probably not. Either way it was that name that drew my attention.
I’m not sure The Cords are an out and out mod revival band and if they are they are firmly in the closet, as there is no mention anywhere of mod influences. Moreover they cite acts like Tiger Trap and The Shop Assistants and other 80s and 90s indie pop bands, but there is no denying the sound, especially the riffs and, yes, the chords and progression. The vocals are very much in the 90s indie style and perhaps lack the raw edginess of 70s/80s mod revival, but the melodies and guitar are certainly comparable and worthy of a listen. Let’s call them mod-adjacent and be done with it! Whatever genre bucket we want to put The Cords in, they fit really well into the current mid 2020s modernist movement and I can see them being played at many an all nighter.
To the music then, and the album starts off with the feel good Fabulist. If you weren’t sure about the mod revival comparisons beforehand, the opening riff will be your lightbulb moment. Think Merton Parkas or Squire and you won’t be far off. With the vocals kicking in we’re reverting to 90s indie, but the guitars never let up. I also get Cardigans vibes from the opener, and it’s the sort of track you play in the back of a VW Beetle in the heat of the summer.
If anything, Just Don’t Know (How To Be You) is even more reminiscent of a number of revival bands. It’s hard to believe, listening to this, that they aren’t at least aware of these tracks. Regardless, it’s another wonderful tune. Wind the windows down, turn the volume up and bask in the glow of coolness.
The battle between modernist guitar riffs and dream, pop-rock indie vocals continues with October. It’s a very strong opening and the first three tracks certainly grab your attention. Vera is more Housemartins than Squire (no bad thing) and I think sounds like the first true 90s indie song.
Doubt It’s Gonna Change and You are back to the formula used on the first three songs, with You having, if anything, an even stronger and more aggressive opening. All the way through this album you’ll hear snippets, usually opening riffs, that sound familiar. Yes It’s True opens like a Lambrettas track, for example.
The last four tracks finish with more of an indie vibe (and back to The Housemartins comparisons), starting with Weird Feeling through to When You Said Goodbye.
I really enjoyed this album and it will certainly be on my summer playlist, and I do urge any and all of you who are interested in mod revival, and in particular the ‘new wave’ of interest in recent times to give The Cords a listen. They deserve it, if only for those opening riffs!
The Cords is available now on Skep Wax Records on vinyl (various limited editions), CD and cassette, as well as all streaming platforms.