BAND OF SKULLS

Sweet Sour
PIAS Recordings / Liberation

When English rockers Band Of Skulls released their 2009 debut record Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, they “had no idea that anyone would come to our shows” according to vocalist and guitarist Russell Marsden but, the Southampton three-piece’s tune I Know What I Am made Single Of The Week on iTunes, Friends made the cut on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack and they went on to tour extensively and support Muse in 2010.

Now, Sweet Sour, their sophomore record arrives – and it is just that: a mixture of soothing vocal harmonies by Marsden and bassist/vocalist Emma Richardson and sludgy guitar riffs.

It’s definitely got the Band Of Skulls ‘signature sound’ but it’s a little more down-tempo than Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. Lullabies Lay My Head Down and Hometowns seem out of place with hit The Devil Takes Care Of His Own and grandiosely upbeat rock’n’roll burner You’re Not Pretty But You Got It Goin’ On. Wanderluster is a future smash hit in the making – chaotic drums with Marden’s distant vocals echoing through the catchy melody.

If you loved Band Of Skulls for Death By Diamonds And Pearls and Blood then you might find this a little underwhelming but, if you loved them for Honest and Bomb then this might just be the right amount of sweet and sour that you need.

_ANNABEL MACLEAN

xpressradio by X-Press Magazine

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