Album: '...Are Dead' - The Young Knives

Record Label: Shifty Disco

Release Date: Out Now

When a band states Frank Black, 'Steve' Malkmus and Steely Dan as their influences you become somewhat intrigued. I was intrigued, this band sounded far too generic to be signed to Shifty Disc. Ho hum ho hum...

Christ on a bike! I warn you all, you're going to hear some rather appallingly forced 70's era punk vocals. The opening track on this seven track mini-album just grates, actually the whole album grates, the opening track 'Walking On The Autobahn' does more than any of the others, they couldn't open with a more bland song even if they tried very hard indeed. I'm picking out faults already, I'm an evil bastard, but crikey, you don't even notice that the next track has started, they do sound a tad similar I'm afraid and those vocals make me want to bash my head against a brick wall, it has to be more interesting.

Right, I've torn them apart already, but I suppose it isn't all that bad. The guitarist may also be the worst singer alive and clearly pilfered his riffs from various others, but he's more than a competent guitarist. The drummer adds the most exciting sound to this humdrum record, highlighted on tracks such as 'Grand Opening'. They should probably stick to instrumentals; I'm still annoyed by the singing on the album. I'll get over it one day.

Some of the tracks have their moments and are tolerable at times, but I really don't want to listen to this bunch of amateurish part-time punks& who aren't very punk really. I don't enjoy insulting bands, honest, but this album has no importance. Everyone ignore it, hopefully it might go away.

Richard Collins, 2/10