Termite’s debut EP as a four piece isn’t quite what one expects, that much is for sure. A three track effort from the Huddersfield / Manchester quartet, 'Growth' is a brief snapshot of the band’s current direction albeit one that reveals plenty about their…erm, growth as a band. I can’t believe I just wrote that either.
There is a defiantly retro feel to much of 'Growth'. 'These Clowns' has the influence of The Beatles written all over it, but the music showcases some subtle hints at progressive rock, thankfully in the shape of guitar interplay rather than tasteless keyboard solos. 'Memory Loss' is more plaintive with some echoing guitars reminding one more of the earliest efforts of David Gilmour in Pink Floyd.
Closer 'Kettle of Fish', meanwhile, is built around some jazzy rhythm section work. In many ways, then, 'Growth' pays homage to the music of the sixties. There is a loose feel to the playing that really accentuates the dynamics of the music, especially on 'Kettle of Fish', a track during which you can clearly envisage the four musicians working together in the same room.
It would be foolish, however, to write Termite off as merely the sum of obvious classic influences. There’s enough crispness to the songwriting to suggest their attempts to blend styles are the work of a band attempting to look forwards rather than back. The textural nature of much of the music on 'Memory Loss' and the propulsive garage rock that ends 'Kettle of Fish' suggest that this is a band with a good few more sides to show us yet.
