The opening instrumental part of this is like a jazz show tune going head-to-head with an 80s radio jingle – a battle of trombones, saxes, bass-led drums and percussion. Leeds band Loqui do an undeniably good line in musical theatrics. Then frontman Rob Paul Chapman’s dry Billy Bragg-esque vocal wanders into the mix, in this case wallowing about being an ‘average white boy’. The song essentailly explores the fear of never experiencing anything beyond the mundane.
However, halfway through Chapman seems to have an epiphany – deciding that maybe average should be celebrated. He gets louder and more animated with each anthemic chant of ‘I’m an avearge white boy’. It becomes a proud exclamation, rather than a depressing realisation – delievered with an on-the-edge-of-sanity vibe.
The song tumbles towards a more delicately sung lullaby conclusion. This is a messed up, jazz-tastic fairytale of as song…. where everyone lives happily ever after.
