A few weeks ago we discovered that Popmeister Tim Benton was active under a branding new to me, Parenthesisdotdotdot. But that’s only because I’m old and feeble. Actually, Parenthesisdotdotdot had been active for at least a decade and I was only now joining the party [of twelve]. Hopefully soon to be much larger. First off, Parenthesisdotdotdot guitarist Rob Britton helpfully pointed out that there had been a 7″ single as early as 2016, and a few more online releases had filtered out in the interim between then and this summer’s “Raptor EP.” Which I listen to repeatedly. Let’s consider them now and report back with our findings!
Parenthesisdotdotdot: Your Excellency – UK – 7″ [2016]
- Your Excellency 3:28
- CATS HOME/DOGS HOME 3:29
Squelchy synths, a stomping beat and glassy synth horn stabs hit the mid-late 80s target full on as Mr. Benton vocally gave this tune the ebullient strut necessary to ascend to a certain euphoric standard that he’s been known to favor on occasion. I loved the dinky rhythm guitar figure keeping time throughout and the witty lyric reference to “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square.”
Then it was quite another kettle of fish for the frantic pop thrash of the enervated B-side, “CATS HOME/DOGS HOME.” A buzzing battery seasoned with hard stereo pans and high contrast music to support the theme of the battle of the sexes as manifest in the metaphor of cats and dogs. One they were together and now they’re apart and canine Tim wants none of it. He’s out in the cold howling at the moon complete with acidic distorted guitar leads from the aforementioned Mr. Britton.
Then there was another Bandcamp track from a compilation of Cure cover songs releases just over a year ago for a charity [MIND] from Welsh music collective God Is In The TV. Parenthesisdotdotdot cut right to the heart of the matter with a transformative cover of what may be my favorite Cure song.
Various Artists: Pictures Of You A Compilation Of Cure Covers – UK – DL [2023]
7. Parenthesisdotdotdot: Push 4:23
It began with lone “piano” while Mr. Benton began his recitation that wove through the entire long introduction that still embodies half of this amazing song. then the mood shifted towards a Bontempi organ aesthetic complete with rhythm box percussion as Benton indulged in his penchant for heartfelt storytelling; full of knowing detail and skirting, as usual, the bittersweet shores of heartbreak as he best knows how.
The detailed spoken word interlude called back to such classic Baxendale material as “I Love The Sound of Dance Music Parts 1 + 2” for half the length of the song before the track burst through to another level at the midpoint when the singing began. Just like in the original. The synths got fatter and and were joined by guitars and the ambivalence gave way to wistful glow at the song’s conclusion.
There are more things out there on disc that I don’t have yet. The same label that released “Your Excellency” put out a Christmas themed compilation in 2011 called “24 Soon-To-Be Christmas Classics” with Parenthesisdotdotdot adding “The Betsey Gets me [Christmas Special]”
And then there’s this; what appeared to be point zero for Parenthesisdotdotdot: the Ellepsis Like Sugar EP from Soundcloud from 2014. Four tracks including:
- Run Out Groove
- Sixteen Weeks
- Wondaloveaffair [Dimitri from Paris + DJ Rocca mix]
- Straight A’s
Sadly it’s not present on Soundcloud any longer so these tunes may be extremely immaterial by now.
…To say nothing of the other songs on the Parenthesisdotdotdot home page. But at least we can assuage ourselves with the immediate gratification of the two reviewed releases which are yours for a pittance in Bandcamp right now! DJs hit those buttons [so fast you heads will spin]!
YOUR EXCELLENCY
PUSH
-30-
![Rock GPA: Ultravox - Quartet [part 6]](https://i0.wp.com/postpunkmonk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ultravox-quartetuklpa.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1)
Post-Punk Monk 
I was not familiar with Parenthesis prior to this but Pictures of You is absolutely excellent! It sort of reminds me of a combo of Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys – in a good way.
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drskridlow – I kind of see Soft Cell but the voice over call me back to Pulp.
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The “Cure “Push” cover gives me Pulp vibes circa 1991/1992. I had previously come across this compilation because of the “The Exploding Boy” version by Iceblynk (incidentally one of my favourite songs by The Cure), but hadn’t listened to the other tracks. There might be some hidden gems.
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strange_idol – See my response to drskridlow! You’re right about “Exploding Boy!” Actually, I’d cite the 12” single of “In Between Days” as the acme of High Cure. I can’t say they ever got better than that. I like “Disintegration” but don’t LOVE it the way many do. I think it’s too long. Like every Cure album in the CD era.
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You’re spot on! I might be a little biased as “The Head On The Door” was when I started paying attention to The Cure, and then worked backwards as you do. For what it’s worth, “In Between Days” is probably my favourite song by them, and the 12″ is simply perfect, even though the three songs clock in at less than nine minutes. They did some great music afterwards, but their albums until 1985 are on another level for me.
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Fun fact: the German 12″ of “In Between Days” (which is the version that I bought) is apparently the only one that has BPM numbers for the songs on the back cover. They’re 140/130/70, in case you wonder.
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strange_idol – Echo chamber here. I’d heard the occasional Cure track before “Let’s Go To Bed” but started paying attention in ‘82. “The Head On The Door” was a perfect first Cure album for me.
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Excellent. I bought the 7″ single and also the Cure compilation,which a couple of my old friends also appear on..
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Gavin – I need to buy that 7” as well! I need to hear the other bands on that Cure comp. I really love “The Exploding Boy” and need to hear someone else’s take on it.
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It was only 99p! I also bought the 7!”by Hong Kong in the 60s,a band I used to see a lot in London days, for the same price.
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Gavin – At that price I’m buying it too. The postage shouldn’t kill me.
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