Each year you look forward to seeing what new bands emerge from the ever overflowing pot of new music. You hold you breath (not for to long obviously) to see the latest hot new thing to hit the air waves and the pages of NME. Each year we are rewarded with a dozen or so hot new wannabies who's own unique style of music, the image, the lyrics and sound captivate us and leads us reaching for our wallets to pay and see them at a gig venue near by.
2006 was crammed packed with newbies. One such band which caught me ears and eyes, were The Long Blondes. A quintet of musicians from Sheffield who's debut album SomeOne To Drive You Home had that unerring feeling of deja vu. Though I couldn't quiet place were exactly I hear something similar to the material on offer here.
Having grabbed my first slice of action, listening to the band I immediate came to the conclusion that here in lies one the of bands of the year. Lust In The Movies was the track that introduced me and for all tense and purposes it was the song that I've since come to associate The Long Blondes to. Their signature track if you will.
Throughout the album you get a certain sense of belonging, mixed with an compulsive need to look through the glitter ball and find some sort of solace which renders you immobile to the fact that the long blondes are your new favorite band. The track that drew me in further still to the heart and soul of this quintet was Once And Never Again. There's just something about the lead singer's voice that makes me stop and listen, all doey eyed and positively in awe. Separate By Motorways again gives you that sense of deja vu, where have I heard this before, only to realize that you never heard anything like this before and just surrender to it. Heaven Help The New Girl gives a slightly quainter view on the ideas and thoughts of those who have written such a track. Each to there own.
To say that this album will open doors, could be misconceived as an understatement. This band will surely play the big festival this year, and with material like this they are well armed. Look out for them especially at this years Carling Weekend:- Leeds & Reading Festivals. That would be a cracker. The band have produce something quite unwholly and have given it a baptism which could make even the almightiest of people feel humbled. Play this album until the heart is content and then play it some more.