Originally written by Jane Oriel · 4 July 2005
The International Karate Plus
Nexus In A Chain Of Thought
Label: FF Vinyl Release Date: 04/07/2005
It's friendly, fuzzy and no-one's gonna get hurt. 'Nexus In A Chain Of Thought' is a gentle, jangly, Summer la-la song with tightly packed happy guitars, behind an eager, meandering vocal.
It's all about moving on and staying put and the telltale lyric mention of a "Hawaiian bird" is a swift memory jogger if you're dead smart and have been paying attention. The squawk is a name check for Rich and Mike's former band, the now equally extinct **Mo-Ho-Bish-O-Pi. Neat huh?
Yeah, sure it's true that had there never been any Dinosaur Jr or Pavement, then IK+ wouldn't sound like this but if anything, the Karate boys have taken the recipe, smoothed its fur and come up with something possibly more carefree than their inspirations. A great slice of intelligent guitar pop.
• 8 Jane Oriel's Score