Song reviews

Clearly a mature and confident band, Candythief provide more than enough evidence in “The Starting Gun” to convince these ears that melody and complexity can be successfully mixed in a Scottish band. The endearingly affected female vocals have mainstream appeal and there is a pleasingly retro turn of musical phrasing to accompany the smarter than most lyrics. The end result, perhaps unsurprisingly, is therefore eminently aurally pleasing.

Oddly theatrical (but in a good way), this frenetic mix of metal and electro might just make Finnish band Standing Ovation stand out from the crowd. “I Have Supernatural Powers” is the name of the song and it certainly isn’t ordinary even if the more cynical amongst you might suspect it of actually being a pastiche.

Old style – and I do mean style – song from Kiya Lacey as she delivers “Little Bit Of Nothing” like a seasoned professional from days gone by with the ultra slick backing band building the wall that keeps this young singer on the straight and narrow. Easy on the ear, as they say.

It is perhaps unfair to call “Elbows and Eyesockets” coffee shop friendly but it does have that uptown big city vibe to it and Welch and Penn walk and talk – it would be way too harsh to call the vocal interjections a rap – their way down the street to the subway leading to confusion. There’s a very American pop punk sensibility underpinning the song however so they might yet have a practical use for their sunglasses.

“Want Some” reminds me of the Talking Heads and Chancellorpink – a one man and his instrument band it would seem – walks down the same street as the aforementioned band to the arthouse. An OK song but one that would have benefitted from a proper chorus.

When you think of classy pop confections then you think of Marie Lala or I do at least. “Surrender My Soul” once again provides the proof of Ms Lala’s polished and soulful poise with just enough ennui to suggest quirkiness and, dare I say it, a sense of humour.

Austrian duo, although you’d never know it from the very American indie pop sound that infuses “Key Biscayne”,  Chronic City manage to stay this side of twee (but only just) as they go all wistful over those well practised laptop loops.

OK, it’s a grunged up bit of psych flavoured wandering musical indulgence but “Catalytic Conversion” convinces more than most in the all important area of musical competence. Given the right drugs this might just work for you.

“And I’m Not Alone” is a vaguely ambient example of a man and his sensitivity with Riddley Walker spinning out a limited lyric out – a chant really – for the best part of five minutes. The song is best compared with George Harrison in his solo hippie days and would therefore benefit from an attack of the digital razor blade. Less is often more when it comes to music.

Determined to walk once more the path of deeply meaningful eighties style retro, The Tranq head for your conscience with “Dissident”. Insistent repetition gets the point across but the rather unexciting male vocals fail to deliver the passion such a song needs.

"Die großen Scheine“ is a somewhat rigid take on that American power pop meets indie rock sound so beloved of American bands of the nineties by German band Rau. Rau, perhaps unsurprisingly, do a thoroughly competent job with this song.

Typically lilting and endearing, the ever adorable Lorraine McCauley and her stalwart colleagues The Borderlands set out to charm with their folk flavoured “What If”. Wistful when done right – as here – is simply wonderful.