I'd picked up their first album when it came out in 2004. I thought "kinda cool, not sure if it's really my thing". And that's the way I left it until seeing them perform live twice at this year's SXSW Festival. WOW they blew me away. The first time, I admit to simply being mesmerized by their saxophonist Abi Harding. By the second time, I realized what these guys actually were...not a Next Wave band with a Next Wave style I didn't really like, but a Roots Rock band with a Roots Rock style that I really loved! Seeing them and then getting a chance to talk to their exceptional guitarist Boyan Chowdhury, I couldn't help thinking what a fabulous rock & roll persona they have. It's so retro it's refreshing. They're not pretty boys (except Abi). They just rock! It's weird how just looking at them differently dramatically changed my perspective.
And now this new album Tired of Hanging Around comes around, and it's got a CRUSHINGLY GOOD single called Valerie. I highly recommend checking out this song. It's just driving and passionate.