Taken from their forthcoming long player Dansette Dansette, "Girls With Guns" shows off the newly propulsive, harmony-heavy edge that Tender Trap have acquired with the addition of Elizabeth Morris of Allo Darlin' (fuzzy guitar) and Katrina Dixon (stand-up drums). The new line-up appears to have rejuvenated Amelia's songwriting: gone is the more contemplative pop classicism of recent years to be replaced by a riot grrrl-esque tale of sisterhood and revenge that wouldn't be out of place among the punkest moments of her previous outfits. While guitars and drums rush by in a blur, Amelia and her new girl crew swear a cold-hearted vengeance on the unreliable and untrustworthy menfolk of the town.
In contrast with earlier Tender Trap, which had a more electronic bent, the new revitalized 'Trap has stronger links to the pop lineage of its founding members; Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey were in influential indie pop originals and John Peel favorites Talulah Gosh and Heavenly, who released records on such labels as Sarah Records, K and Stephen Pastel's 53rd and 3rd. Revered by today's revitalized indie pop scene, their records are floor-fillers at indie dance clubs and their influence can be heard in bands such as Los Campesinos! (who namecheck Amelia in their song "International Tweexcore Underground") and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart among countless others.
Whatever Tender Trap chooses to sound like, it doesn't matter because as long as Amelia is still making music life is good. "Girls With Guns," is a spiky blast of indie pop that at times sounds a bit punky, a bit rockabilly(??) and at times like vintage Talulah Gosh. In other words, it's awesome hooky, melodic stuff that had me breaking out all my old Heavenly records. Amelia...it's nice to have you back.
Download: Girls With Guns
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