Three-piece Edinburgh band Salute Mary are to release a double A-side single costing absolutely nothing to buy. ‘Pacifying Hungry Ghosts / Rubella Rubata’ is physically available on Monday 23rd May 2011 from the Salute Mary website. It has been downloadable since April 11th from the Salute Mary Facebook page.
The single is a follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut EP, Lonely Escapades, which was also recorded at Green Door Studio, Glasgow, with engineer Sam Smith (1990’s, Sons and Daughters, Chemikal Underground) with whom the band say they have struck up a creative rapport.
Salute Mary consider that they have evolved both physically and musically since their last release. They lost a guitarist and gained a new focus to their sound. As a trio, their power and emotional strength comes through in a new, and somehow denser, way.
The tracks are being promoted as being a continuation of the same searing guitar, oblique bass lines and propulsive drums that the band provided with their debut ‘Lonely Escapades’, with a layer of atmospherics invoking the band’s influences of Sonic Youth and Mogwai. The contrast between the two tracks is striking and yet the unifying sound is of a band who are on top of their game, and, after hearing the songs, this would seem to be the case.
‘Pacifying Hungry Ghosts’ starts off in a smooth yet strong manner, with an ultimately controlled ambience. The true body of the song is demonstrated almost instantly, with each member of the band evidently expressing their talents to the limit – whether such limits are too controlling is up for debate. It is an understated yet bold song, with a crucial and unique change of direction in the middle, where the pace is toned down before both drums and guitar reunite to complete the track with an instrumental that allows reflection and commands the absolute attention of the listener.
‘Rubella Rubata’ portrays a milder pace, with a greater emphasis on lyrics. Elusive it may be, the striking drums continue the Salute Mary theme of being in control, yet edging towards being more daring at the same time. It is similar to the first track, in that there is a change of dynamics in the centre of the song, with a hauntingly effective guitar piece that blends in well with the rest of the piece. It’s a rich experience that also projects prestige and reflection.
Both singles are a success, emphasising the fact that Salute Mary have developed and consolidated their sound and have moved on creatively whilst not forgetting their past. The band understands the modern tastes of their listeners, but should perhaps venture out even more boldly to attract a greater crowd. Both singles, along with their former tracks, can be heard here.
