Soft Hearted Scientists

Back in April we saw The Eighteenth Day Of May at the Oxford Zodiac, supported by Soft Hearted Scientists (we also saw The Decemberists in March, but failed to see either The June Brides in July or The March Violets in September). I'd heard the name before (probably attracted by the S-word) but knew nothing about them. I still know almost nothing about them, except for the very fine music that they produce. The line-up on stage that night was two acoustic guitarists and a chap with a small array of vintage synths. They proceeded to play about half-an-hour's worth of witty, offbeat songs with almost child-like melodies which seemed instantly familiar, yet impossible to pin down exactly from where they might have been "borrowed". Afterwards, I snapped up the last remaining copy of their debut album, Uncanny Tales From The Everyday Undergrowth, from the merchant-icing stall. It's a delightful record which I wholeheartedly recommend, especially if you're fond of the work of Mr Hitchcock or XTC or The Young Marble Giants - not that it sounds like any of them in particular but it definitely occupies a similar territory. Here is a link to the group's website where you can download some excellent work-in-progress demos. My flavourite is I'll Be Happy but all three are excellent. Then go and buy the CD!

http://www.softheartedscientists.com/index.html