The 99s
EP (Tri Tone)
The 99′s music radiates a fresh, sunny disposition, cherry-picking inspiration from fellow Northerners such as The Beatles, The Coral and The Charlatans for this cheery indie-pop album. During some tracks you could be mistaken for thinking you had put on your little sister’s McFly album by mistake; however, they have been tipped for success by XFM’s Clint Boon and Tim Burgess so there is a fair degree of substance to their sound other than teen pop pleasers.
Don’t let that put you off though, this is an enjoyable debut. Opening track ‘Oh Me Oh My’, the band’s upbeat first single, gives an aspirational snapshot of a future escaping “the same grey Northern sky…can feel these walls closing in”. From vocal harmonies in the thigh-slapping country track Sunshine to the catchy chorus of ballad Eymet with its brass solo, The 99s create melodic unpretentious, uplifting tunes.
Katy Whitelaw
