Suris - Rare Brew

​Suris

Rare Brew
self-released; 2025

​​By ​Dino DiMuro​

Rare Brew is something of a career retrospective for Suris, an English alt-rock duo comprised of Lindsey and David Mackie. They began recording way back in the 90's on 4-track cassette and 8-track reel to reel, and these songs are remastered or reimagined mixes of tracks up to 2015. They play music with "hints of 80's and 90's nostalgia" and have been compared to Kate Bush, Radiohead, Lorde, Lana Del Ray and Fleetwood Mac. 

The couple makes most of the music themselves. Lindsey is the chief songwriter, creating chord schemes and lyrics over David's rhythms. Lindsey sings and plays keyboards, while David provides the guitars, bass and drums along with production, mixing and mastering. They say these songs were inspired by albums like "Remain In Light" (Talking Heads), "Discipline" (King Crimson) and "Tin Drum" (Japan). 

"Astroturf" starts with a Stones-like acoustic piano trill, then moves into more of a dreampop reverie, bathed in ethereal keys. Lindsey has quite a beautiful voice and it's no surprise the band's early demos caught the ear of Polygram Records. This song feels absolutely organic, as if sprung fully-formed from the couples' unconscious. We end with that same Stonesy piano run. "This is the City" immediately widens the group's palette into expansive, orchestral rock territory, with the same kind of melodic and instrumental ambition as Laurie Anderson's "Mr. Heartbreak". Next is "Great Wide Open" which is one of the couple's favorites: "Very stripped back with a Space Oddity vibe." It's definitely a quieter and more intimate track, with melodies somewhat like Elton John (especially in the chorus) and a near-tropical marimba sound like Martin Denny. 

"Big Ship" is one of the early 8-track recordings cleaned up for modern ears, and the rhythms are air-tight behind Lindsey's multiple and quite beautiful vocals. "Scaur Bank" definitely has a Stevie Nicks quality to the lead vocals, which have an arresting "quivering" effect (I think I might be hearing David joining in at the end, too). "Hellion" is a touching ode to (I believe) one of the couple's kids, with a similar vocal trill and thick, sweet strings. "Warrior Queen" is advertised as a track that "breaks all the rules, starting with an acoustic upright piano and ending with a mighty guitar/synth pulse/vocal battle." This one definitely leans hard into prog-ville, with an interesting overlay of Latin Pop. Lindsey goes full Kate Bush at the end, with a wild, elemental vocal workout that almost makes you step back! "Absolute Zero" is more of a straight-ahead synth popper, and works as a palette cleanser. 

"Riverman" combines steady beats, solid piano, lovely vocals and what sounds like a full orchestra for another synth pop wonder, with a lead guitar that recalls Steve Hackett in Genesis. Continuing the mellow prog sound, "Last Fish in the Sea" kind of sounds like it was recorded in an underwater studio, what with the waves of reverb and shimmering vocals and keys. 

"All Over Again" is the final track and also the third of the "1992 8-track tapes" to be remade. Honestly you'd never know this wasn't a brand new studio recordings from top to bottom, with the band's trademark diverse arrangements seemingly housed in a self-contained universe with restless spirits and strange atmospheres. Some wild lead guitar and vocal scatting complete the picture.

I always love hearing music that sounds familiar but adds new layers and complexities I wouldn't have expected. This is a fine collection from a duo with a unique and fearless approach to their songs.

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