Scrying. Divination. Skin. Magick. Mad Style. Ten Inchers. † THESE NEW PURITANS †

March 12, 2010 by Clint Catalyst 

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Hidden, the sophomore release by British “art-rockers” These New Puritans, is now available Stateside. You know, as in: domestically. It’s a lot of things, this aural assault: a mélange of the cinematic and the classical, the intimate and the evasive, the post-modern and the profound. However, one adjective that isn’t applicable for what’s quickly become my favorite release of the year (thus far)? Sophomoric.

Spot-check this Most Correct clip for the album’s single “We Want War,” directed by Daniel Askill:

click here to obtain :: the ‘neither of either’ :: a ten-incher :: my favorite size… of VINYL, sleazebags!

(Gahhh! Mind/Cable Telly, Much?)

&, for those prone to the “Covet. Love It” when it comes to collectibles…

These New Puritans have rarities to offer their disciples:

(A deluxe version of the CD, complete with 80 pg. hardback book? Drool-worthy.)

Full Disclosure: While I Loathe Band “Groupies” (seriously? try screaming at an art opening or academic conference—that’s subversive… whereas offering to give roadies head for a laminate back-stage? such a seventies’ cliché; I’m yawning), I Have An Insatiable Affinity For The Limited-Edition/Signed-&-Numbered/Gatefold/Box Set/3″ CD/10″ EP/Colored Vinyl/Picture Disc Of It All.

& no, I won’t be gauche & remind you I’m an Aries. Instead, moving right along…

—image of the band taken from their page at Last.fm (Don’t Ignore It; Explore It!)—

The video for “Elvis,” a single from the band’s premiere album Beat Pyramid , is also Most God, Indeed.

† “We’re all waiting/Or Forever Made/And if there is a God, then please take me up…” †

Consider the gents on the handsome side?  You’re not alone.  Twin brothers Jack (vocals) and George Barnett (drums) have been ogled by the fashion set since the band’s inception in 2005. Before they’d even released a full-length album, designer Hedi Slimane commissioned the “band” (translation: George, whom Slimane also featured on the catwalk) to record a soundtrack for his final collection at Dior Homme, the “Hiver” 2007 runway show. This was Barnett’s first professional modeling gig, though the demand for pale, angular creatures from the xy set has kept him busy: campaigns for Lanvin and Ray-Ban; editorials in Dazed & Confused, Zoo, Arena Homme +, 10, GQ, Another Man, and Vogue Hommes Japan; and runway work for dozens of designers, including Burberry Fall/Winter 10/11, Prada, YSL, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Dries van Noten, Veronique Branquinho, Galliano, and Gucci.

However, insofar as far as my own taste goes? Not that you asked, but I’m backin’ Jack over George. & speaking of back, let’s do exactly THAT

with

Another video from Beat Pyramid: “Swords of Truth”

& here’s a tribute video for TNP song “Costume,” as created by Hugh Alexander Scott-Douglas II

(YouTube channel aaabracadabraa)

Related Text:

“Scrying is a magic practice that involves seeing things supernaturally in a medium, usually for purposes of divination or fortune-telling. The media used are most commonly reflective, translucent, or luminescent substances such as crystals, stones, glass, mirrors, water, fire, or smoke. Scrying has been used in many cultures as a means of divining the past, present, or future. Depending on the culture and practice, the visions that come when one stares into the media are thought to come from God, spirits, the psychic mind, the devil, or the subconscious.”

:: hiding beneath this vicious shade of pink? :: the facebook page :: for ::

:: & yes, they’ve got a MySpazz profile, children :: complete with tour dates :: (though lacking: these United States) :: click here ::