Promos, I listen to ‘em. Words, I write ‘em. Scores, I designate ‘em. Sentences, I finish ‘em.

The Gaslight Anthem – The Diamond Church Street Choir

It’s probably something of a death knell for a band to be branded “inoffensive”, but that’s about as far as I could go to describe The Gaslight Anthem. Maybe if you like unremarkable American rock and/or roll bands doing things with guitars and finger clicks this is for you, but it’s not my cup of tea. At least they have the good grace to put out a CD with two tracks on rather than calling it a double-A side, and for that they get a reasonable score. 2/5

Wavves – King of the Beach

Don’t let the name fool you. This isn’t bleep city. It’s not even bloop village. Instead you’re essentially looking at the San Diego Jamie T, which is as dubious an accolade as I’ve ever dished out on these pages. Grungy sounding guitars, disinterested vocals and the sense that recording behind his parents house is about all the musical ambition this chap has. Still, refreshing to hear guitars that fashion forgot on this. 3/5

The Soft Pack – More Or Less

Some rocking chord work going on in this. Unfortunately that’s about the only redeeming feature. The track that summons up the vision of The Arctic Monkeys being told to slow it down a bit and be a tad less good, if they wouldn’t mind. I suppose there’s elements of classic rock in this but it just feels lifeless – the singer sounds like he’d rather still be in bed and that’s just got good enough for me. I want my vocalists sounding like they have somewhere quite important to be, and they don’t care who knows. 2/5

Plants & Animals – The Mama Papa

Canadians! They’re always where you least suspect them. Some of them are in Canada granted, but some of them aren’t. And some of them are in my CD player making a right old racket. Angular rock with the edges very much showing and a raw sound, there’s vibes of Talking Heads in this. Some lovely fret muting as well, which is that chka-chka noise I enjoy very much. In short quite good. 4/5

Sleigh Bells – Tell ‘Em

Punishing. Absolutely punishing, this one. Machine gun drums, guitars that drift in and out of tuning and sense, shouting, and some uncharacteristically pretty singing and harmonies. I’d previously listened to Rill Rill and not been terribly impressed, which doesn’t bode well for Treats as an album. Still, this is a proper slap in the face of a single, and well worth spending your time on. 4/5

Breakbot – Baby I’m Yours

Let’s look at the facts before I establish a rating for this song, shall we?

1. He’s French
2. He’s on Ed Banger Records
3. It sounds a bit like Modjo or Stardust or any of the eight million French bands I’m obsessed with

Disco, funky, fat bass, ridiculous groove, soulful vocals, synths you’d let have their synthy way with you – it all adds up to a ridiculously amazing track. The only let down is that there isn’t more of it. But there is a solution to this plan – and I’m amazed no-one has thought of this before – listen to it again. And again. And a few more times.

I only wish I could give it more than 5/5 and make it the Bitter Fingers single of the week. Oh, I can post the video later? Well I flipping well will.

That’s your lot.