Everything is the same except for the name says Lawrence – a new name for a new time. A new band too. A better equipped model for today’s hazardous roadways. After taking a step on the journey to January (‘Relative Poverty’ 10”, BFI Film, gigs) Mozart Estate will release their huge new album ‘Pop-Up! Ker- Ching! And The Possibilities Of Modern Shopping’. Wow that’s some title – and it rhymes!
Featuring 16 tracks Lawrence has moved away from the idea of Mozart as a B-side band and has created a full- blown full-length pop masterpiece. There’s ‘Relative Poverty’ and ‘Record Store Day’; already well-known and established, while new tunes ‘I’m Gonna Wiggle’, ‘I Wanna Murder You’, ‘Vanilla Gorilla’ and ‘Doin’ The Brickwall Crawl’ will soon be just as popular with Mozart fans.
This compelling relevant collection resonates with potent ammunition, firing straight into the heart of the new year.
One of the quirkiest indie cult artists of the last 40 years, Lawrence Hayward has held dreams of becoming a pop star since his adolescence watching Top of The Pops in the 1970s. He’s a genius but also a genuine oddball, and as brilliant as his records have been, from Felt to Denim, Lawrence is just too left of center to actually make it happen. And that’s ok! His latest incarnation, a spin-off of his previous Go-Kart Mozart moniker, is not likely to finally give him that time in the spotlight but you have to admire the fully realized end result.
Much like the last GKM record, this one blends his main obsessions — the ’70s, stardom and money (or lack thereof) — into one shiny, earth-toned package. “Pop-Up! Ker-Ching! And The Possibilities Of Modern Shopping” is as meticulously crafted as any record in his discography and loaded with very catchy, very quirky songs. A work this eccentric does ask the question, “Who is this album for?” The answer: Lawrence. “Pop-Up! Ker-Ching!” is his world and we can only window shop.
The Fat Angel Sings 