Brighton’s JUMPING SHIPS seem like they’re on a bit of a roll at the moment. Their signing to Alcopop! pushed things into drive, and their second EP ‘Standard Bearer’ is a bit of a blinder.
Most impressive for their dynamic range and song structures, Jumping Ships, despite being quite busy instrumentally, never seem to detract from the consistently strong lead vocals, and with Opener ‘Movers and Shakers’ is the most prominent example of that on the EP. Similarly, ‘Standard Bearer’ is just the right length to not feel too short or too long, and that’s just the thing about the band; they’re very much at the golidlocks point of alternative rock.
Not too hard or soft for the casual listener, there’s something for everyone with an open mind here – and though they might go over the heads of a few at either ends of the scale, there’s no reason that they won’t continue in the fine fashion that they are and pick up loads of new fans.
It’s another teaser of great things to come from the band, and sets the scene in a perfect way for a (hopefully) forthcoming full length.