Pram 'Cumulus' (from 'Iron Lung EP', Too Pure, 1993)

Pram were an interesting proposition - thoroughly avant garde in approach, but on this EP at least, they certainly seemed to be striving for something melodic, attractive, enticing. Active since the early 90s in Birmingham, Pram have ploughed a very singular furrow across labels including Too Pure, Duophonic and Domino.

My first encounter with them was a review copy of this very EP. Putting it on, I had no pre-conceptions of what I was about to hear, save for those stimulated by the press release.

As the first bars of 'Cumulus' emerged from the speakers - a short loop of almost ice cream van style metallic tones - I was hooked. 'Cumulus' alternates between ambient verses and harsh lurching choruses. The verse tells of the sky becoming aglow, neighbours wandering outside to look into the sky, catching a glimpse of an unspecified something.

The chorus crackles into life, an aggressive drang of guitar and bass suggesting an uncertain turbulence before the verse's motorik clip takes up again. There are echoes of Can, especially as the track hits the four minute mark and veers off into what seems to be a locked-groove jam, fragments of melody looming into the mix.

Download Pram 'Cumulus' (too pure, experimental, postrock mp3, Mediafire)