On my many ponderings on the fate of the happy pop song, I usually reach the conclusion that such ditties have become things of the past. Then one song into the debut EP from Ayrshire band What The Heroes Say, one of those little gems escapes from the speakers and starts running about the room handing out free sweeties.
Yes, that song was "Plastic Paradise" and it is a positively jaunty slice of Blur style Britpop that shows a solid grasp of the pop song writer's art. I'm almost embarrassed to say that I even attempted to sing along. Driven along by Sean Maddock's bouncy keyboards, this song is proof that hooks are still the thing to have.
"Heart and Soul" goes down an altogether more mellow path bearing left into Robbie Williams territory. John Davidson's intense and confident vocal reinforces that impression and the end result is both commercial and radio friendly
"Elementary My Dear" returns the band to buoyant, irrepressible form and it has to be said that this is the kind of song that breaks a band. Sounding familiar but standing out from the crowd, It is well put together and it has got stadium potential so just chant along and wave those lighters in the air.
"You and I" is easily the weakest track here sounding like the kind of song that you'd catch having a fly cigarette in the inner grooves of an Oasis album. Still, three out of four is far from bad for a debut and that's the truth.