Labels: self released
Review by: Andy Malcolm
I listened to this online a couple of weeks ago and was impressed enough to order the tape. I then was particularly bemused to learn that they were from Norwich, when they turned up 1st on supporting California X the other night. Unfortunately they were let down by muddy sound and the hit and miss acoustics of the ancient Take 5 cellar (more suited to the blurred hardcore bands that I have otherwise seen there) did them no favours. However, this 3 track demo is really rather fine and completely worthy of your time. Hearts and Minds sound is pitched somewhere between Football, etc and Weed Hounds, a tuneful bit of indie rock with drawn out vocals and some catchy riffs. The songs are a little samey, but that’s perfectly acceptable with early demos. I like that they have one word song titles, and I like that things are pretty loud and hefty, yet still melodic and with plenty of room for subtlety. This is a really decent start, and although Norwich isn’t exactly rife with great bands and this is potentially damning with faint praise this is probably the best indie rock band from the city since Pennines. Worthy of a whirl.