When I first placed this CD into my player I was expecting half-assed retro/indie Rock. Following on from the successes of such bands as the edgy and quirke Killers together with Franz whilst adding some slight over dubs of dark eighties electro and rocking riffs, I was pleasantly surprised with the Features.

It’s a player and by that I mean it is a ‘more times I listen to it, the more I love it’ type of record. 12 songs in just 33 minutes are going to please me, that’s how I like it short and sweet. No songs are played out and no songs outstay my welcoming ears.

The howl singer Matthew Pelham has on the first song ‘Exhibit A’ congers up memories of Robert Plant on the mighty Immigrant Song mixed with Robert Smith’s style of lullaby crooning. It instantly comes across as a more accessible and instant Sub-Pope Modest Mouse. Intense yelping on other numbers together with catchy guitar riffs similar to the more jazzy Queens Of The Stone Age numbers is excellent.

Some songs such as ‘Blow It Out’ and ‘Someway, Somehow’ almost have a Weezer style pop element about them. Strong song structure with awesome tap your feet choruses make this a sure fire hit with the indie kids. I have to say this is some of the best new music I have heard in along time, BUY IT NOW.

http://www.thefeatures.com

Alex Parker

Contactmusic

Follow The Features