8

Intense And Emotional

Opening track 'Kevin Is Gay' displays a voice which demands to be listened to against a backdrop of cascading music, whilst 'Cordial Invitation' although lighter in tone continues the same musical theme, making a consistent thread between the two songs. A clever and subtle relationship that holds through to the end of the second number.

'This Isn't It' is a hook ridden number that screams "single" at you and has a vocal style that must owe a lot to Debbie Harry and 'YFLMD' will appeal to any Duke Spirit fan.

'Pretty Little Neighbour' departs from what you would expect at first before eventually succumbing to the temptation to revert to that darker side of the bands style. 'Blunt Picket Fence' unfortunately lives up to the first word in its title and doesn't display any of Giant Drags talent.

'High Friends In Places' with its slow hammer like beat plays more to the blues/rock sound. It's one of those numbers where the music and vocals merge perfectly as they both cross the line into each other. While 'Your Full Of S*** (Check Out My Sweet Riffs)' is more pop than anything else, 'Everything Worse' manages to achieve an almost sing a long melancholy. 'My D*** S***' holds a heavy Nirvana/Black Sabbath sound that for once outshines the vocals, then in contrast 'Smashing' floats along on a cloud of Pink Floyd calmness.

'Slayer' is a song with an unashamedly dance beat to it mixed in with moments of 'surf sound' in the vocals. This once again produces a lighter more commercial track.

The UK bonus track on this album is 'Wicked Game'. It may be a cover version, but it is like finding that the last chocolate in the box isn't coffee and you don't have to share it with anyone.

This cocktail of 'Oh my God she's singing to me' vocals and intense, emotion of the moment, music, is worth taking your time over. 'YFLMD' and 'High Friends In Places' are particularly outstanding in their delivery.