Buzz, Dec 2001/Jan 2002, Chinese Whispers (Sylem) Dec3

Currently recording a new album - Dirty, John Peel's favourites Melys present a taster in the form of this frankly lovely single. Psychadelia infused pop-rock that will hopefully propel them into the big-league, possibly (excuse this incredibly lazy piece of journalistic comparison) to fill the recently vacated shoes of Catatonia. This is music that makes you happy simply through the knowledge that there are people out there who care enough to make it.
*****
Gareth Brown


Honk #8, November 2001

"Everything I do seems to make the news" shouts Andrea, the tiny singer with Betws-y-Coed's hardy perrennials. But unless you're a regular listener to the nation's arbeiter of alterna-cool, John Peel, it's unlikey that you've heard much of Melys. This is a shame, since like much of their material, Chinese Whispers combines the sweet, honeyed vocals of Voice Of The Beehive or Cocteau Twins with a stinging, acid ferocity. With its keyboard base in this instance, however, the closest comparison is with the building, understated grandeur of new Pulp material.

Rating: 8/10
James Mclaren

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