10

Undercut something to die for

The opening of the first track Soil had me thinking 'Yawn, I'm in for a U2 sounda-like-fest, as it sounds like U2 plus, that is U2 being particularly good. I don't really like U2 an awful lot. Undercut are certainly more interesting.

From that initial opening we move to a vaguely Pearl Jam sound, but there's other, better stuff to come. The whole album has that U2 undertone lurking in the undergrowth, a lot of the time hardly discernible under the lyrical harmonising or tuneful melodies dominating the album. The Second song To Die For is very catchy. Johnny Benn's vocal's reminded me of Sting for some reason. These vocals are one of the main gelling factors that hold the whole shebang together. He sounds like Michael Stipes with balls on the third track Delight. But don't let that put you off by any means. His voice doesn't stay in the same place. Sometimes he slips on his Chris Martin disguise sans warbling, which can only be described as good.

They're the hardly the crunchiest, hardest of bands. They're style is melodic and sometimes borders on the truly beautiful. Try lying on the floor and playing Seasons loudly. If you don't get a warm glow all over, you're probably dead. Of course this won't impress everyone. But those of an all round angrier nature will steer clear of it, unless they buy it for their girlfriend / mother. None of it is overly challenging; it's highly listenable if you’re in the right mood (mellow after a stressful day with a drink in your mitt).

The whole album bursts at the seams with hooks and anthems that just keep you listening. Certainly enough variety in the songs to keep the interest... There are some brilliant tantalising glimpses into the power of the guitars, all too often snatched away by the beautiful harmonies of the individual songs it's an album that sporadically soars to the heavens, crashes, flies off at an obscure angle before exploding in a shower of stars. Like a cheap firework at your uncle's barbecue party.

It shows that the lad's have worked hard over the last couple of years to hone their unique sound to perfection. The result is a very individual album. A fine debut for the five some from Bristol. It certainly deserves airplay as it's more individual than a lot of the cloned tat around at the moment. The sound is wonderfully polished, pop infested rock.

Undercut have got a future I reckon.