Still Bust may not have built up the largest of back catalogues during their career but ’77 For You (57 For Me)’ immediately makes a very persuasive argument for the benefit of quality over quantity as ‘It’s Your Fault (And You’re Stupid Kind Regards Barbaros Icoglu)’ gleefully throws itself from your speakers in a riot of riffs and drums that fill every bit of available space. Thankfully the animated vocals are strong enough to hold their own against the constantly changing musical backdrop.
‘TV On After Breakfast (Would You Like Your Hair Cut Today)’ initially sounds like it will be more coherent, by virtue of a more focused opening section. However it’s not long before everything is back in familiar territory as once again Still Bust manages to cram a multitude of time signatures, vocal styles, and varied riffing into a frantic four minutes.
For an EP as enjoyably chaotic as this, ‘Twenty Foot (Broken Foot)’ has an even more pronounced feeling of being several songs in one. In particular, the relative calm ushered in by the piano based passage breaks things up and provides a rare moment of quiet and contrast before everything crashes back in as the song builds to a crushing crescendo.
It may only be four tracks long but ’77 For You (57 For Me)’ squeezes in more variation than other bands manage in an album and for the most part it’s done with equal parts skill and enthusiasm. However, at times Still Bust fall victim to their own restless style as threads of melody or suggestions of twisting guitar lines either fail to materialise or get lost under the constant sea of instrumentation. Unfortunately this is the case with ‘I’ve Never Been More Happy To Have A Hypo (However This Could Mean I Have Irreparable Knee Damage)’ which doesn’t quite reach the heights set by the other songs.
That being said, Still Bust’s enthusiasm, ability, and character shine through the scrappier moments and they clearly thrive upon the layers of chaos that they create in each song. ’77 For You (57 For Me)’ is an enjoyable and intriguing record that boasts enough impact to make you sit up and listen from start to finish. Here’s hoping Still Bust find themselves in a recording studio again soon.
CHRIS HILSON