Semifinalists – Semifinalists (Regal Bear)

Straight outta, um, Indonesia and bits of America, Semifinalists cram more ideas into any random 30 seconds of this record than is decent and reasonable. Of course, such an overflowing cup of cranial riches often sounds bloody awful, but the trio manages to keep hold of the reins for 40 whole minutes before everything gallops off. Mind-expanding hippie imagery - “He opened up the can of life,” anyone? - rubs Hessian shoulders with vocalists Ferry and Adriana's complementary but wildly different singing styles – the results, especially on highlights 'Origin Song' and 'Let's Kill This', are arresting, dynamic and rather lovely, like Grandaddy twiddling with the Boo Radleys' 'Giant Steps'. They even hit janglepop gold on 'I Saw You In The Hall'. Delightful.

Charlie Ivens