So here we have it, the latest 7 track EP from this Scottish Melodic Punk outfit and I have to say that I was actually quite surprised at just how good it is. When it arrived I didn’t have a clue about what to expect but when I put it into my CD player it instantly had me hooked with its melodic vocals, catchy riffs, and fast paced drumming. Right from the set off with ‘Blind & Naked’ you can tell that this is going to be something special and all the way to the end with ‘Voice of Reason,’ it does not disappoint and there are some great songs in between. There are three standout tracks here in my opinion, ‘Exit,’ ‘Leave Me Stale,’ and ‘For Us,’ – and considering there are only seven tracks here it is a great achievement to have three tracks that stand out because sometimes on albums with 14+ tracks on, there are not this many tracks that stand out. ‘Exit’ stood out to me for example as this has catchier lyrics than the flue, the drumming is frantic, and the guitar riffs and bass lines just seem to reach out and grab you. It is one of those songs that sticks in your head with its pop sensibilities but it also Punk enough at the same time to keep your attention, and gain your affection. They show much talent on this one and show that they are a band that has a lot to offer and should things go their way will definitely be big before long.

‘Leave Me Stale’ on the other hand did not really catch my attention until the first chorus and then it had me listening intensely on their every word and taking it all completely to heart. About half way through this song there is a part where something begins to build and you can feel it coming and then all of a sudden there is this outburst that sounds almost hardcore, but before you have a chance to take it all in you are chucked back in at the deep end with the chorus again. Up until the first chorus this one just seems like an average track but after that, you mark my words – you know that you are witnessing something very special and feel proud to be a part of it.

Like I said before, the other track to have really grabbed my attention was ‘For Us.’ This is a song that lasts for a whole four minutes, but this is a fun filled four minutes and the time just seemed to fly by. The bass lines are crazy, the vocals are infectious, the drumming has a good, steady beat, and the guitars produce the most melodic of sounds that you have ever heard. This song seems to have great emotion and depth to it and I think that it really means a lot to the band and almost certainly to the vocalist by the way that he is singing his heart out on it. The guitar here is producing some amazing sounds and works well with the melodic Punk vocals to produce an extremely fine track. If you are after something that is a bit more emotional and heartfelt then this is the one that you should be listening to on this EP because it is definitely emotional and it went straight my heart, and I don’t usually find myself being fond of tracks like this so it must be something special!

So, a brilliant little EP here from the talented young Scottish band that I am sure I will be hearing a lot more of in the future when they sign to a major label and are earning mega bucks. One to watch out for in 2004? I think so!