Platomania (12/04/02) about Suikerspin: Good news for the fans, because some material was not available anymore. And good news too for all that dont know Melys, because Suikerspin is the perfect introduction to Melys. Melys makes pure pop with dance-influences, sometimes a bit Garbage, then again a bit Sundays. Everybody should taste this Suikerspin.

Belgian pop magazine Gonzo Circus about Suikerspin: "On Suikerspin you can admire Melys in all its aspects. Melys plays pop like pop is meant to be: with wave-, dance, and shoegazer-influences and screaming guitars, pumping bass-guitars, bubbling electronics and catchy vocals by Andrea Parker. The foursome knows how to amaze, stir up, seduce and thrill. Take a Suikerspin and enjoy it carefully but fully again and again."

Q-magazine (May 2002) about Melys, Suikerspin: "Singles collection from Welsh Peel favourites.
Edgy yet melodic songs such as You Should Have Been There or All Played Out recall the articulate introspection of the Sundays or Belly, while Parkers curling, elongated vowels on Disco Pig and Chinese Whispers inevitably bring Cerys Matthews to mind. A useful introduction to a neglected band (4/5 stars)."

Regional daily paper De Gelderlander about Suikerspin: "Indie-discjockey John Peel-whos taste for new talent is undisputed-has had Melys in his program already for some six times and who gets to hear Suikerspin knows why. Melys makes beautiful trippy Britpop with in places a fat wink towards new wave. The beautiful tenuous voice of Andrea Parker does the rest."

RECORD COLLECTOR. (APRIL 02) about MELYS-SUIKERSPIN cd (Dutch Import): "An 11 track entrée into the world of another wonderful Welsh indie pop outfit fronted by a delectable singer, in this case Andrea Parker. As well as totting up six Peel sessions to date, the band have produced a fine array of EP’s and singles, of which this is a tasty late 90’s onwards selection. Here and there, Ms Parkers melliflouos tones are akin to a mix of Clare Grogan, Cerys and Lindi Layton, and porn Myself could indeed be 1983 Altered Images, but for the splendidly imaginative backing presented by the boys. “Chinese Whispers” showcases the bands mix of instrumentation and programming, ranging from marimba, harpsichord and xylophone tones to bubbling synths, all propping up an intimate vocal. “Baby Tornado” takes things a step further, sounding like a disco Manics mixing it with the Super Furries in trip-mode. Other highlights include the Republica-riffed “I don’t believe in you”, a Pulp-singing-Welsh “Un darllenwr Lwcus”(One Lucky Reader) and the pulsing, blip-laden “Cuckoo” (While “Puppet” even veers into Kraut soundscapism) If you haven’t sampled Betws-y-Coeds finest, make a stop and swallow whole."

RED BRICK (University of Birmingham) about MELYS-SUIKERSPIN cd: "This is a greatest hits of sorts, packaging all of Melys’ most recent singles. Unlike most “Best of’ albums, this is quality from start to finish. Melys defiantly write pop songs, but pop songs with very sharp edges. On Baby Tornado, singer Andrea Parker sneers “..Run little pig before you’re found/coz I am the wolf who’s gonna blow your house down” with all the venom of Vinnie Jones slamming someones head into the door of a moving car. Yet for all their bile, Melys never stray into pretension or awkwardness – It’s quite easy to picture Simon Cowell and his fellow besuited ninnies deciding to foist one of these eleven on dear old Will. However, one suspects that if he did, he’d have four very angry Welsh people to deal with, and judging by this album, you wouldn’t want to fuck with them."

Free popmagazine LiveXS about the Melys London Calling gig: "Melys, from Wales, has a knowledge of melody. Singer Andrea and the whacking hooligan look-a-like bassplayer form the centre of the band. They have brought in a huge following from Wales, mainly consisting of pissed and shouting football-supporters. Melys appears to be a slightly vulgar and common little sister of Blondie, Bis or even Catatonia. Their live-set differs in nothing from their album Suikerspin, but their enormous energy and their on the spot easy to sing-a-long songs merely make the band a true relief."

Hollands main pop/rock magazine OOR about Suikerspin: "Melys seizes me with a warm feeling. That they are still made, those lovely sweet records. The cd, a compilation of the best of five years Melys, shows abundantly not too obtrusive dance-rhythms, sharp guitars, analogue synthesiserbleebs, heavenly melodies and innocent, often fragile vocals from the girly Andrea Parker. Some compositions wouldnt sound out of context on Garbages last cd, although they secretly have as much depth."

Daily paper Parool about their London Calling festival gig in Paradiso, Amsterdam (March 16): "Melys from Wales moved the place (which rarely happened this weekend) with their bittersweet electro-pop. Mainly because of their cute/stout female singer. Such a relief between all those men-bands, that only because of that Melys was a modest London-Calling hit."

Daily paper NRC-Handelsblad about their London Calling festival gig: "Melys from Wales stole the show with an irresistible Blondie-feel singer Andrea Parker added to their bittersweet guitar- and synthesiser pop. Melys understands that the secret of good popmusic starts with strong songsl."

VPRO-internet site (the broadcasting system that covered the London Calling festival in Paradiso, Amsterdam, March 15/16 2002) about the Melys gig: "Music: self-willed pop with electronics from Wales. Plus: strong songs with a twist, that sound fresh because of the use of samples and digital soundeffects and are incomparable with anything else. The brilliant stage-mentality and fresh vocals of  Andrea Parker-one of the few upfront women during this London Calling edition-work contagious. The hall gets excited and the front rows go wild during Disco Pig.Minus: In fact the show is too short: More please! Remarkable: Two songs are in Welsh of which you dont understand a word. But that hasnt hold us back neither from Super Furry Animals. And yes, the corpulent guy with the hammer (bass player) in the steaming closer Disco Pig makes the feast complete. Conclusion: Sweat drips from the walls in the protruding Paradiso upstairs hall. The sound is crystal-clear, the songs ok, the beer went down abundantly and Melys wins many Dutch souls."

Daily paper NRC Handelsblad about Suikerspin: "This cd is beyond the alternative sector because of eleven melodic songs of which two are sung in Welsh. They sound unintelligibly beautiful and make suspect a same kind of angle as in Porn myself, in which Parker in an angel-like voice proclaims that Melys wont let themselves be prostituted by the music-industry. For the upcoming London Calling festival Melys belongs to the golden tips."

"Positively stalwarts on the slightly manic Welsh scene, they were a bundle of angsty pop joys, heartily unafraid (and unashamed) to blend indecently tuneful guitar workouts with crunching electro rhythms. Was it hard? Have you ever seen a Sarah Cracknell soundalikie headbanging onstage?? Exactly." (Playlouder)

The Guardian of December 7, 2001 about Chinese whispers: A tender, glacial ballad that sounds like Dusty Springfield backed by St. Etienne. Lovely.

The NME about Chinese whispers: "If the curmudgeonly scrooges of IPC management would agree to our demands for a regular Welsh Single Of The Week, this would take first class honours-no contest. But its not just regional tokenism to discern a dash of the old Cerys-from-Catatonia magic in Andrea Parkers lusty sighs, ripping away layers of sadness and euphoria in the giddy fairground swoops and crashing waterfall chorus of Chinese Whispers. Melys can drift into nondescript MOR trip-pop at times, as on Gwerthfawr, but for the most part they remain cruelly underrated oddballs on the fringes of British rock."

"It's like having all your birthdays come at once when a new Melys release drops through your letter box, such is the mix of trepidation and excitement, yes I know I agree I do need to get out more. If we had a single of the fortnight this would probably be it, so lets go for honorary single. When are you going to learn that even a record featuring the band coughing would wipe the floor with the infant pop that masquerades as music on daytime radio. Three tracks make up this split label adventure between Melys' own Sylem and Dutch label Transformed Dreams whom you'll remember a while back released the excellent Seedlings to an unexpected world. Okay a running order that offers a bitter sweet bruiser without the usual trademark showing of teeth, a slowey and a welsh language track thrown in for good measure. 'Chinese Whispers' is indignant in the way it takes you from one emotional extreme to the other and back again without giving a mind to let you pause to regain your senses. A glistening story telling smasher, Andrea's finger wagging fury directed at nosey neighbours, if there was such a thing as pristine pop, this without doubt is it, or is it. Scarcely time to draw breathe and the blighters hit you with 'Watercolour', not wishing to over exaggerate the point but this is as sensual as a record can get without having a censorship sticker emblazoned on its sleeve, carefully choreographed chords map a clockwork like trajectory upholding a lullaby effect. As sexy as prime time Altered Images with dare I say it the kind of chic pop that the Human League would die for. The darkly winter like melancholic vibes of 'Gwerthfawr' wrap up this latest step up the ladder to world domination. An album 'Dirty' in the offing, maybe at long last Melys' star is in full shining view."(losingtoday.com on chinese whispers)

GUARDIAN 7th Dec. 2001
"A REGULAR GUIDE TO NEW BANDS HEADING YOUR WAY.
MELYS:
so who the hell are they?
Andrea (Vocals), Paul (Guitar), Rich (Bass) and Gary (Drums), wonderous Welsh popsters from Betws-y-Coed.
Their new single, Chinese Whispers, has been tagged by John Peel as "the song of the year" - one way of describing a tender, glacial ballad that sounds like Dusty Springfield backed by St.Etienne. Lovely.
Appearance
weirdo indie types from the valleys with a cute, idiosyncratic, vowel-curling singer. Typical Peel fare, but with tunes.
John Peel?
Is he still on the air? Most evenings on Radio 1,actually, and the venerable DJ is still enjoying an indian summer. The Peeler's ceaseless championing has played a pivotal role in the rise of the Strokes and White Stripes.
Hmm, but Melys? Sounds like more Welsh weirdos.
Er, the name was filched from a gig-promotions company Paul and Andrea were involved with.However, they are a bit odd. Andrea is married to Paul; drummer Gary is Paul's brother.The band's wacky japes include playing at their own wedding, with baby Bella contributing wails; also, Andrea went into labour with a second child, Chloe, whilst singing in the studio.
Good Lord. Should John Peel be throwing this procreating, curiosly close-knit rock beast at our pop kids?
Of Course. Peel discovered Melys when they released experimental records on labels like Angst and Pinnacle in the late 1990's.
However, when Pinnacle went bust, Melys set up their own studio and label and decided they'd have to write some stirring pop songs to pay the bills.
Peel's love affair with Melys began when they did a live broadcast on his show from Wales. This year, the DJ nominated the band as one of the "Tips for the top" at the influential Eurosonic Festival in Holland. They may well join the long line of rock legends who took their first steps on the Peel programme: Adam and the Ants, Elton John and Frankie goes to Hollywood.
Not to mention Bogshed, Milan Station and Tools you can trust!
why do you always try to spoil everything?
But if:
You like the concept of a Welsh, weird Ronettes.
Don't buy if:
You have a loft full of Tools you can trust singles thanks to "Cuddly" old Peel.
So where can I hear this stuff?
Chinese Whispers is out now.
DAVE SIMPSON"

Press for Puppet (Fragile EP)
"…..for those who like their pop archetypically perfect with a fair measure of charm" Keith Cameron NME
"..Andrea Parkers beautifully fragile vocals combined with Paul Adams' Spartan keyboards conjure up the ghosts of Young Marble Giants, ominous and swirly synths compound the feeling of casual doom..A TREAT." Buzz Magazine
"…MELYS possess a grace and charm all of their own.A most disquieting, unsettling and pleasurable experience." Everett True NME

Press for Cuckoo
" Are you ready for…. the Welsh Portishead?
Well you might have to wait a bit longer, because Melys are spiky pegs who don't quite fit that nicely rounded hole just yet. From the same defiantly left-field Welsh language stable that Launched Gorkys Zygotic Mynci and Super Furry Animals, "Cuckoo" is more Krautrock than trip-hop, falling roughly into line with established Ankst traditions of gristly drum loops and jarring electro textures. But they also have Andrea's wistful bi-lingual vocals, delivered in that warm yet alienated purr which Nicolette seemed to have patented, adding a sinister, kindergarten ambience to these luminous nursery rhyme drones.Make that the Welsh Stereolab…More Please." Stephen Dalton NME

"Melys, the latest offering from Welsh label Ankst- whose roster once boasted Super Furry Animals, Gorkys Zygotic Mynci and Catatonia. Like their predecessors, Melys have great pop tunes (the Welsh have a natural sense of melody), but they're fragile, sounding delicate yet strong. Absolutely Lovely." Tania Branigan Melody Maker

Press for "Slagging Off Tourists" EP
(Porn Myself and Mae'n Amser I newid)
"…By the time these flinty Welsh art-popsters get to second track "Mae'n Amser I Newid, they're cooking on gas because it's a sparkly, shimmery piece of lo-fi pop wonderment. And "Porn Myself" is just as good; a sugar-rush lament about bad hair days and the thin line between artistic compromise and prostitution. Here Melys sound like vintage new wavers Penetration, which is a very fine thing indeed." Steven Dalton NME
"One of the best bands to come out of Wales, away from the big four who dominate press coverage. With a sonic rumble not a million miles from Depeche Mode at their peak and some cutting lyrics. Melys need a bit of nurturing." Rob Watkins Big Issue
"This female fronted group are unashamedly pop, albeit tinged with bitter experience. Saint Etienne and even Lightening Seeds are first comparisons that come to mind, but there's more integrity at work here too.The actual music is carefully constructed through samples and programming and the lyrics are so often piercingly funny." Record Collector

Press for "Un Darllenwr Lwcus"
Welsh, Cyber-goth and accompanied by a promotional pubic wig, this is quite possibly the most rock and roll record in the history of music.There's a fella playing some spooky piano, another bloke convinced he's doing backing vocals for "Sympathy for the Devil" and someone has been brave enough to let the evil demented cousin of "Girls & Boys" loose on the mixing desk.
ALEX : "The best Yet"
GRAHAM : "They're another post-Seymour band. Is this meant to be Scary? Shes like the
Welsh Bjork."
ALEX: Three out of ive, or maybe four if she's got big tits."
GRAHAM: " Oi!!"
ALEX: "Hahahaha!"
Melody Maker, with Blur as guest reviewers

Press for "Kamikaze" LP
"Second album of twisted electronic pop from Betws-y-Coed, North Wales. Scary.
Having watched their record company collapse after the release of their debut album, Rumours and curses, Melys have returned on their own label, Sylem, with a murky, edgy follow-up that refines their particular brand of electronica.Sugary melody lines and the gossamer-light vocals of Andrea Parker lull the listener into a false sense of security, as the shiny pop of Porn Myself, then there was one and Baby Tornado suddenly reveal their darker side. Here, Melys' tales of Off-kilter relationships and Vengeance unfold against a Plan B from Outer Space-style soundtrack.A slick, sometimes exhilarating package." Paul Davies Q Magazine
"When an album from a Welsh four-piece lands in your lap, you must abide by the Murray the Hump commandment : thou must not reference albums by Welsh bands only in terms only in terms of other Welsh bands.
So, theres no need to mention the fact that opener "protect and Survive" sounds like the non-shouty bits in "The man don't give a f***" or that "Kamikaze's" wibbly, super and furry noises will satisfy fans of Gruff's quirky pleasures.
Instead, let's mention their vitriol.Singer, Andrea Parker will lull you and lure you with her sweet Beth-Portishead-twatting-Harriet-Sundays vocals.
Then the bitter, angry lyrics will have you reeling. "I'm messed up, cruel and spiteful/A hard nosed bitch, a psych/Gonna take it all out on you,"She near whispers on Baby Tornado.I shudder to think what the two songs in Welsh are on about.Amid the verbal violence, the tunes are just as Siren-like.There's more soaring, filthy, punchy pop than you can shake a stick-with-the-rotting-remains-
of-Kenickie-dripping-off-it at.Ladies and Gentlemen, Melys. More likely to do a duet with Mogwai than Tom Jones.Hopefully.(A bit like Glenn Close wearing a Catatonia are Shite T-shirt in "Fatal attraction 2: Alive in Snowdonia)"
Stuart Dade Melody Maker (4 Stars/ 5)