Ali in the Jungle

Whenever anyone mentions the word "Pulp", I immediately whip my head around and demand "WHERE", expecting to see some grand image of the band, older and more mature, ready to reunite and challenge the new modern social issues about the working class with ultra-catchy Britpop music. But alas, my dreams are never the ones to come true. Nonetheless, when I received an email about The Hours, a new band featuring Antony Genn, former Pulp and Elastica member, and Martin Slattery of The Mescaleros, I felt a little flutter in my heart.

I know, I shouldn't be comparing to the past. It's a bad habit. The Hours have an essentially recognizable Britrock sound, although different from all of the bands I've mentioned above. The one most important aspect of their four-track Ali in the Jungle EP, released Jan. 24th, is honesty and it comes across in a way that is really quite inspiring. So inspiring in fact, that Nike used the title track in one of their most recent campaigns. It references some of the most triumphant moments, heroes and icons in history, putting them alongside lyrics that remind us "it's not how you start, it's how you finish. It's not where you're from, it's where you're at. Everybody gets knocked down. How quick are you gonna get up?" Set these words to a strong drum beat, strings, and the first perfect take of the piano track that the band got down, and you've got a song that will make you feel like you're ready to take on all the world.

Check out the video for Ali in the Jungle, directed by Jonas Odell. It's kind of like video for Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand meets the Float On video by Modest Mouse, coloured by your typical inkjet cartridge.



The four track EP, featuring two more songs as well as an orchestral version of the title track, really reinforces that sense of perseverance and determination as first outlined by Ali in the Jungle. Definitely a good choice for a rainy day. Listen to the Ali in the Jungle EP in full at the Hours' mySpace, or get it at iTunes!