Sky Girl, the compilation that keeps giving, and now finding a(nother) second life via Numero Group's much-needed retrospective of Texan tune-lord Gary Davenport and his associated groups via Closet Records. Sky Girl fans will recall Davenport's 'Sarra' as one of the (many) highlights of that collection, and Scattered Thoughts proves he was no one-hit wonder. Alongside his solo pieces we're presented with his work under the Mannequin moniker, and collaborations with Mark Champion, all of which impressively seem to hit that same maudlin note as 'Sarra'. Impressive because his voice is so distinct, unfiltered but exact. Davenport proves himself a master of greyscale, plaintive new wave jangle, recalling the timeless bedroom melancholy of The Cure, Cleaners from Venus, even The Chills. And not just bands beginning with C - 'A Desperate Situation' unexpectedly reminded me of Sensations Fix, and then helped me draw a path through to Ariel Pink. That should give you a clear sense of what's going on here. Introverted sad-eyed wunderkind. Perfect for when the days feel like the colour of a turned-off TV screen.
