| You remember Delays? If not you’d be best advised to go and unearth ‘Nearer Than Heaven’, ‘Long Time Coming’ and ‘Hey Girl’ to remind yourself how 2004 was radiant to excelsis with their omnipresent and unsoiled harmony soaked sunshine indie-pop. The sophomore album ‘You See Colours’ followed but, aside from a couple of pleasing toe-tapping surges, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow hath run a little dry and magic was hard to pin-point between the tidy song-scaffolding. Returning this month with the ‘Love Made Visible’ EP though, we sense shiny currency again as the title track sweeps in on an invigorating slipstream, literally dry drowning in Greg Gilbert’s trademark helium-high harmonies. A feeling only buoyed by ‘Panic Attacks’ which drives deeper with underlying synths pumping the pulse, then countered by ‘Slow Burn’ doing exactly what it says on the tin, like early REM shoegazing. It’s beautifully packaged too, as an aside. It’s all enough for us to begin genuinely anticipating the arrival of their debut for the Fiction label, ‘Everything’s The Rush’ early next year. Ahead of their comeback proper then we grabbed a glimpse inside Greg’s head… Where are you now? What can you see?
I'm in an opium den in St.Mary’s in Southampton and I can see strippers.
What was the last thing you ate?
Effervescent Vitamin C Pill
What was the last album you bought?
The Kissaway Trail’s ‘Smother + Evil = Hurt’ (on Bella Union). When I first heard the single, it was the first thing I had heard in ages that had melody and really resonated with me.
What was the last movie you saw?
‘Control’ (the acclaimed Joy Division biopic). It took me 3 days to recover after watching it. No I lie....It was Ghostbusters, projected onto a screen.
What are you most looking forward to?
Looking forward to next summer, listening to doo wop music and pruning my garden. Or looking forward to now.
What do you hate right now?
Absolutely nothing. I love doing interviews. J
Have you been told a secret recently? Will you tell us about it?
Yes, I have been told a secret, but I can't tell you.
Where or how do you feel most comfortable?
I feel comfortable on stage. Not the days leading up to it. But as soon as I'm on it, it's fine.
Top moment of 2007, thus far?
It was yesterday, receiving the first copies of our EP. Seeing all the packaging, it was a great moment.
What are your plans for next week?
Just rehearsing loads for the tour, which starts this week.
Out Soon - ‘Love Made Visible’ EP www.thedelays.co.uk
www.myspace.com/delays
www.youtube.com/DelaysWorld
James Berry for Crud Magazine 2007©
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