This lot are from Shetland, in fact from a very small Shetland island (Whalsay). The album was recorded in Shetland as well. So let us get to it – there are 12 tracks here, and the opening track, ‘Time Travelling’ is pleasant enough but a bit generic “mainstream indie rock”.
The second tune is far more interesting – ‘Cocoon’ boasts some classic riff angles and some great vocal lines, recalling something like Tom Petty vs The Dream Syndicate, with some Strokes and Springsteen thrown in. There is a yearning quality in it that characterises some of the best “we gotta get outta” place young man angst – and the instrumental breakdown towards the end is great also. And it is not finished – a very confident stop/start build-up heralds a further fantastic Neil Young via Fleetwood Mac guitar solo – Wow!
‘Changing Seasons’ follows, and is again a bit generic – BM has to be honest here or it is not worth reviewing this stuff! The guitar work is really good though and there are some promising lyrical phrases in there.
‘Into Place’ is looser, surprising funky and brash (they have some range) and comes across a bit Paulo Nutini, no bad thing at all…the wah wah guitar is great!
Next up, ‘Pictures of …’ starts more reflective and really quite lovely – until the vocal comes in, quite drawling and sarcastic. The song then cresendos with a rousing chorus, about insiders and outsiders maybe…”Where did it all go”, indeed? There is more soloing, attack and a lot of noise.
We are now midway through – with ‘Midnight’ – which again starts slow but there is more trouble ahead… it builds into an emotive monster…
Track 7 ‘Someday’ is catchy, as summery as this lot get, and is about what could be, or might have been.
‘Which Place Is First’ is an instant rifferama, searing guitar riffs and a great chorus, this is burning, guys, good grief! Squalling guitars, the pacing of this is real class…
So onto the home straight… (and BM has btw decided that after some initial reservations this is a cracking album)
‘Still A Mile Away’ starts as a total contrast – busy instrumentation leading to another wigout.
Ok, so there is one band that now comes to mind after all this – Pronto Mama, and is BM’s book this is no higher praise!
The closing trio of tunes are again full of surprises, little hooks and eccentric riffs – this is a very interesting band and a quite astounding and mature debut given their tender years. The closer ‘Makes It Good’ starts with the line “it’s a new day” and gives us new hope for new music in general…