Strawhouses

Runaway Child EP

Even the band admits that they've got a Bends-era Radiohead sound, but something about the vocals and guitars drags this out of just being an over-earnest pastiche and makes it worthwhile on its own. The songs have emotional resonance, but maybe the band just take themselves a little less seriously and aren't aiming for the sixth form poetry emo market, which has led to some pretty exciting songcraft. Apart from the easy Thom Yorke comparison, lead singer Paul Donnelly sounds at times like Kevin Rowland and also, bizarrely, like that misanthrope from Interpol on a helium binge. Their songs are all pretty hooky, often in somewhat unexpected ways, such as the stuttering Unplug the Beast. Alternating between meaty ballads and rockier fare, they don't really hit any weak spots on this four song EP. They deserve to go places.

Dion Curry

Kyte

Two Sparks, Two Stars

Like label-mates Band of Horses, everything Kyte produce is ethereal and gentle, lovingly crafted and polished to produce a listening experience akin to suddenly finding yourself with a view of a remote valley adorned in autumnal splendour. It's music to sink into; it's the sonic equivalent of a blanket and a log fire, the soundtrack to returning from a nostalgic visit to your hometown having met old friends at the pub you first got served in. There's a sense of introspection being encouraged, and reassurance that all is well in the end. In places the perfection does border on the mechanical; indeed, as opening track 'Eyes Lose Their Fire' soars into a xylophone-and-strings-enhanced chorus, there is a definite sense of being in an advertisement for the new Lexus, gliding sleekly along a deserted highway surrounded by leather and chrome, the unpalatable noise of the real world stuffed out of sight in the glove compartment. A mellow take on Peter Gabriel's 'Solsbury Hill' conjures up yet more peaceful imagery over a lazy, programmed drum loop, and would easily win a competition to find the piece of music most likely to feature in the next series of 'Wainwright's Walks' (a programme featuring many hills, for those not in the know....). Don't expect to hear this on the dancefloor at one in the morning, but do expect to find that you've spent half an hour daydreaming after listening.

Jon Cooper

The Prelude

EP

There are some bands you want to jam and sing with - The Prelude are a band I want to drink with. This is a fat, raucous, no holds barred, unapologetically Irish saturated soundtrack to a night out that screams 'come see us you fool, you don't know what you're missing'. The whole EP is humorous, eloquent, original and varied. I not a fan of The Pogues and I hate Guinness but I can't help grinning to this like a botox ridden, drunken Cheshire cat. There's an obvious Dylan influence, which manifests itself in well thought out and melodic song writing, but a major strength is the layered wall of sound that blasts through my speakers. I'm not too sure about where they'd go, as mainstream it's not, but no doubt about it, if they can reach them there's a potential army of fans there and judging by how many gigs they've got booked, they obviously feel the same way.

David Patterson

Dead Like Harry

EP

After a quiet stint on the recording front, Dead Like Harry have begun to once again release consistently excellent examples of their song craft in their latest EP (When We Were Seventeen) and single (Fight/Walk in Through the Morning). Fight is particularly exciting, as the Harrys (can such an awkward collective noun ever catch on?) rock out with a wild-west call to arms, reminiscent of Bon Jovi's Young Guns, except, you know, actually good. This song is intense when played live, and it loses none of this headrush in the studio. Walk in Through the Morning is a beautiful and near-perfect piece of country pop. The EP is strong as well, with the standout track being Streets, with its simple and beautiful guitar figures. Now, a full album would sure hit the spot.

Dion Curry

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