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29 May 2012
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Album reviews


Rebelski - Stickers On Keys
Rebelski - Stickers On Keys

Rebelski - Stickers On Keys

Martin Rebelski is a bit of an unsung luminary of Manchester music. His fingers have graced the keyboards of Doves around the world, bringing the heart to the mighty Spaceface, and he helped out on Badly Drawn Boy’s The Hour Of Bewilderbeast.


Stickers On Keys

  1. Alka Seltzer
  2. In Space For A Day
  3. Stickers On Keys
  4. Little White Lights
  5. Remote Control
  6. Long, Slow, Drive Home
  7. As The Crow Flies
  8. Play The School Piano
  9. Scallywag
  10. Magic Calculator
  • Out on Twisted Nerve
  • Rating: 9/10
  • Reviewer: Chris Long

With such a CV behind him, it’s hardly a surprise that he produced a quietly charming belter of a debut, Thanks For Your Thoughts, last year. What is a bit of a shock is that Heavenly didn’t see fit to allow him to continue in his escapades at their expense. No matter; what’s Heavenly’s loss is Twisted Nerve’s gain. And what a subtle, beguiling, gorgeous gain it is.

Rebelski himself admitted that he needed to move his sound on for this release and that has led to the inclusion not only of beautiful contributions from the voices of Beats For Beginners’ Mike TV and the Montgolfier Brothers’ Roger Quigley, but also from the emotional strings of Lizzie Hoskin (not to mention appearances by all three Doves along the way).

It is the vocal tracks that stand out initially. Mike TV lazes his way through the addictively mesmerising Little White Lights, while Roger Quigley’s silky voice ladles sorrow into the haunting Play The School Piano and aches the heart of the dreamy Long, Slow, Drive Home.

With repeated plays though, the instrumentals take the lead. Glistening in-between those vocal outings like newly drifted snow, the title track swirls in a hypnotic wonderment, while As The Crow Flies and Scallywag whisper through clouds of shining, twinkling melodies.

Stickers On Keys is not perfect, but it is one of those albums that goes in your stereo and never comes out again, growing and blossoming with every listen. It’s a fine mark on the Mancunian musical landscape all of his own.

last updated: 25/11/04
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Frank of The Big Noise
Martin Roman Rebelski has done his finest work to date. Magnficent really. Listening to Thanks For Your Thoughts at first, you are enveloped in a fit of glory. Songs like Tiddlywink, Toy Shop and Walkie Talkie are minimal masterpieces.

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