Brighton - home to a pier, a beach and a thriving '70s punk scene (before it all went pear shaped) - and now an as-yet unsigned four piece playing all manner of skate / melodic hardcore stuff. EP 'Econ' is their demo offering, and on the strength of this record it can't be long until a label snaps them up.
Opener 'Different Dream' kicks off and immediately the bands' influences hit you smack in the face. The initial riff screams "Pennywise" - it's almost like the band lifted it straight from 'Straight Ahead' and stuck their name on it. It's that familiar "heard it all before" feeling that lodges in your mind on initial listen, only this time it verges on proper deja-vu, such is the similarity. That said, it's not a particularly bad tune, the band still manage to exude plenty of energy and the melodic chorus does a good job of retaining interest over its three minute course.
'Spin', featured last November on Radio 1's Evening Session, starts off with great "Ignition"-era-Offspring style, overlaid with some catchy vocals; vocalists Damo and Ade do a good job combining on the choruses, providing the first real sing-a-long moment of the release so far. The guitar solo is, unfortunately, lamentable - is this the best you could do guys? Mercifully it only lasts a few bars, and the band soon right themselves to finish the track in the appropriate style.
Probably the weakest point in the track is provided by third track 'The Wonderful'. Psuedo-ska guitar intro with a hardcore-style chorus whine of "Won't somebody help me?" and over-the-top solos doesn't win them any friends. It's boring, tedious, and shall not be spoken of any more.
Thank God, then, that the band abandon their brief nose-dive in favour of what they do best - 'Corporate Whore' sees them return with the standout track of the CD. With a punchy baseline to intro, layered up with good harmonies on guitar and a nice bit of palm-muting through the choruses, the band finally show what they're capable of when they put their minds to it. After a couple of listens the tune buries itself in the back of your mind and refuses to move - you *will* be humming this all day, I guarantee.
Finale 'Life Back' is darker affair than the other tracks, and after the previous highlight, feels bland and unexciting. Again, it's not by any means a bad track; despite its flaws its still an eminently listenable offering - it's just compared to great stuff you just heard it's nothing special.
Overall, it's a fair record. It's been well produced, with a good, clean sound, and there's something to interest most. Worth buying? For £4 including p&p, probably. Don't expect to be blown away by a great new sound, but give it a try and you'll realise there's a couple of genuinely good songs and a whole heap of potential for the taking.
Dan
