November 28, 1999
SPANISH DANCE TROUPE
By DAVE VEITCH

SPANISH DANCE TROUPE
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
(4AD/Beggars Banquet)

Don't believe the title: Gorky's Zygotic Mynci are actually a Welsh folk-pop quartet with a decidedly eccentric, expressionistic streak -- imagine Robert Wyatt (whose wife provided the artwork for the sleeve, incidentally) sitting in with Belle and Sebastian and you have an idea of the lovely wisps of songs that dominate the group's pastoral sixth album.

Just when the acoustic guitars, woodwinds, organ and Euro Childs' falsetto threaten to make the album too precious and twee, the band throws a wild curveball, such as Poodle Rockin', an art-rock chugger with squealing guitars and synths that recall Brian Eno's early solo work, or the out-and-out strange Hair Like Money Teeth Like Dog.

Bizarre and beguiling, often at the same time.

Track Listing 1. Hallway
2. Poodle Rockin'
3. She Lives On A Mountain
4. Drws
5. Over & Out
6. Don't You Worry
7. Faraway Eyes
8. The Fool
9. Hair Like Monkey Teeth Like Dog
10. Spanish Dance Troupe
11. Desolation Blues
12. Murder Ballad
13. Freckles
14. Christmas Eve
15. The Humming Song

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