The Xcerts - Crisis In The Slow Lane

encapsulates itself within its own title as fairly pedestrian (though competent) rock with a melodramatic flourish. Musically this is quite similar to much of the current glut of serious sounding but sonically unchallenging artists which seem to be emanating from Glasgow in Snow Patrols wake.

Boasting a fairly massive Dave Eringa production this offering is not without its strengths, the highlight being the excitable layered vocals at the end, but the overall sound of slightly whining vocals and crunchy guitars are a little too stadium for my tastes. Having said that, given the right support slots I imagine The Xcerts could probably make the leap into the “lighter waving” fraternity by the end of the year and (as is so often the case) completely prove me wrong.