Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti – Before Today

 

When the retro revival finally runs its course, you’ve got to wonder what’ll happen to Ariel Rosenberg. So immersed in the sound of nostalgia is his first full band venture under the guise of Ariel Pink – Haunted Graffiti is his ensemble’s neon-lit appellation – it’s almost ludicrous to think of him surviving in the modern world. Precisely entitled Before Today, this is a collection of throwback melodies from an age of odious jumpsuits and mind-contorting acid trips. With a sprawl of genres on offer – comprising glam rock, disco, soul and heavy metal – it can be an energising time warp. But the mixed bag approach often leads to infuriation, with the grooving funks of Hot Body Rub and Beverley Kills stalling against humdrum numbers like Little Wig or the abhorrent Butt-House Blondies. Rather than traipsing his way through the past, Rosenberg should really consider getting back to the future. [Billy Hamilton]