2006 was a good year for Irish music. The scene - healthier than it possibly has ever been - finally emerged, chrysalis-like, from the mire of turgid pomp that had enveloped it in woolly jumpers and beards for the past decade. The first half of the year may have belonged to The Immediate, in terms of buzz and hype; but the latter months set Cap Pas Cap firmly at the vanguard of talented avant-garde bands in the city. Their songs soundtracked everything from an RTE promo ad to the PC speakers of music apostles around the country (thanks to MySpace) - and this was before they had released so much as a note. However, the quartet finally delivered the goods in early December with a successful launch in the Boom Boom Room, and 12" EP 'Not Not Is Fine' epitomises the independent and unconventional spirit that embues the Dubliners' sound. Their love of krautrock is conspicuous; jagged riffs with clean edges, and clever, repetitive melodies abound - but CPC manage to make each of the five tracks here dissimilar and dynamic without being too off-the-wall. See And A's throbbing bassline carries it wonderfully well, singer Gavin Duffy's shriek oscillating impetuously around a neat little xylophone jingle; No Fun's ominous discordance (a consistent theme in their music) sees that same clamorous voice tempered by Grainne's controlled inflections, while Not Not's claustrophic, elongated fuzz is infectious and arty without being pretentious (a common predicament with many new bands).Both standout tracks, though, are without doubt some of the best you'll have heard in a long time. Said Say It (from aforementioned RTE ad) epitomises Cap Pas Cap's talent for making simple, uncomplicated melodies seem special and intricate, while We Got Stand Tall's 90-miles-an-hour urgency is simply addictive, essential listening. A breathtaking debut release; Cap Pas Cap could yet prove to be a vital component in the evolution of Irish music. Www.cappascap.net
