There it is. I’m listening to the “Larry Star” EP from Irish alternative rockers House of Cards and I hear it all. That relentless blast of youthful enthusiasm. That desire to go louder and heavier than any other neighbourhood band. That blast from the past riffing. The committed to the point of posturing lead vocals of Conor Curley. All the signs of a band that wants to make a mark.
Who cares if there is much that is familiar in these five songs? Not me, for five vodkas later, and I felt the need to punch the air and do the air guitar thing. House of Cards is a young band too so they’ve still got plenty of room to manoeuvre and while “I’ll Go”, or indeed “The Lights”, make for the most likely crowd pleasers it is “Sharks In The Water” that highlights the ability of this band to stretch themselves and not simply settle for second place.
A band with a chance? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.