Cheeky Wombats' Review

Granted there has been a lot of Wombats featured on the Pop Register. But the album is here (5th Nov) and there's no ignoring it.

Its called "A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation" and its every bit as good as I expected.

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Seldom does a pop band come along so shamelessly simple and fun, that even the most cynical of critics can’t help but kneel over in their wake. Welcome then, to the world of The Wombats and their charming debut LP “A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation”.

While staying clear of the detrimental qualities of manufactured pop, The Wombats trio boast a genuinely accessible sound while keeping their album fresh and reasonably innovative. There are no worn out stories of drunken romances, lyrics to cringe over or generic “up-beat” melodies. Instead, enjoy fluffy tales of youthful innocence and discovery, delivered via a power pop punch of anthemic choruses and jittery guitar tunes.

For a band still in their early infancy, The Wombats have an impressive catalogue of material. So much so that more than 30 songs had to be worked through in order to decide what was to be on “A guide to…”.

One of the highlights, “Kill the Director” represents everything good about the Liverpool based trio. The song is a homage to the idealistic world of Brit rom-coms in which lead singer, Matthew Murphy compares his own romance to those off the big screen “this is no Bridget Jones…”. It’s a euphoric three minute call to arms – an untamed pop riot that will wear indie/alternative dance floors thin.

“School Uniform” is a wonderfully endearing tale of a school bus romance “you were nine and I was ten…you had a Walkman, all I had was a middle part and a pen”. With its spiky guitar hooks, snappy pace and harmless lyrics, it’s the epitome of fun pop.

The Wombats prove that pop can be as credible as and way more exciting than the latest brooding, leather clad Joy Division descendant. Its radio friendly brilliance and you won’t even feel guilty listening to it.

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The Whip - Sister Sian

I give you some sexual sci-fi fun from The Whip, guaranteed to leave your skin raw with pleasure. That said, its no Divebomb/Trash. Apologies for the influx of music videos but this one is so fresh off the press that it'll be a while before I get my hands on an mp3. You can read more on The Whip and download some of their earlier stuff here.

Couple of Popregister Worthy Singles

Southampton based pop act the Delays have an EP - 'Love Made Visible' - coming out on November 12 and this is the rather colourful video for the lead track. You can preorder the EP here.

Some Slightly Less Young Knives

Now recording for their third album, following 'Voices of Animals and Men' and the 2007 re-released "The Young Knives are Dead', The Young Knives are a long way away from their youthful days of supporting Hot Hot Heat and The Futureheads.

Well known for their decidedly classic English gentlemen attire and appearance - chunky framed spectacles, side partings and tweed blazers - the band boast a quirky yet traditional indie style. Their latest single, released on Transgressive Records, home to The Pipettes, The Rumble Strips and other UK indie talent, is Terra Firma.

[mp3] The Young Knives - Terra Firma


Sticking with the agreeable formula of simple punk style melodies, pranging guitar hooks and a chant style vocal delivery, it would seem the band aren't yet ready to move away from their "Young" roots. Still, I'm not bored of it yet. Check out the B sides, including 'A Cavern' sung by Jeremy 'House of Lords' Dartnell himself.


[mp3] The Young Knives - A Cavern
[mp3] The Young Knives - Back to Back

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Because I just cant get enough DIOYY

With the Shout Out Louds canceling their gig because their bus broke down (pretty lame excuse really) I needed a little cheering and so when I stumbled across the latest Does it Offend You, Yeah? track, 'Doomed Now' I soon forgot about what could have been and instead bopped along to some typically grimy, knotted electro beats. Read up more about DIOYY here, or just download and enjoy.


[mp3] Does it Offend You, Yeah? - Doomed Now
[mp3] Does it Offend You, Yeah? - Lets Make Out (extended mix)


Also in keeping with the breaking down/accident vibe, The Wombats have announced the B side to forthcoming single 'Lets Dance to Joy Division' will be 'Derail and Crash'. Check it out


[mp3] The Wombats - Derail and Crash

Mumm-Ra - The Ones to tip?

I've been listening to a bit of Mumm-Ra again and couldn't help but wonder what they're up to. Sure the debut album, 'These Things Move in Threes' only came out in May and they've already released at least two singles from it - but for a band universally tipped by the music press as the one's to watch for 2007 - I can't help but think the Mumm-Ra camp has been a little quiet lately.

After a few festival appearances, the six piece, Bexhill-on-Sea raised, indie popsters have have led a sheltered summer, hitting just a few venues on tour. The album too, only mustered no 42 in the UK album charts. Single sales also failed to live up to the buzz, with most recent release, 'She's got you High' not even reaching the top 40, despite some decent radio airtime.

I hope its not a case of what could have been for the indie upstarts. For a youthful band they boast an impressive and diverse catalogue of material including some great B sides. Their album sweeps from heavy indie rock with whirling guitars and spat out vocals to some cheesy and fun power pop MTV friendly tunes. Don't give up boys.



[mp3] Mumm-Ra - Cute As
[mp3] Mumm-Ra - She's Got You High
[mp3] Mumm-Ra - Song B



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