Thursday 1 June 2006

The Automatic – Not Accepted Anywhere (B Unique)

“Let's go see Raoul!” How many of you thought that was about the footballer? In fact, The Automatic's singer Rob Hawkins wrote these lyrics in a state of straw-clutching despair: Raoul runs a cafe near the South Walian quartet's studio – that the result was one of this album's handful of highlights is some reward. Furthermore, new single 'Monster' – the sound of At The Drive-In bludgeoning Kaiser Chiefs with their own shoes – has already annexed UK radio. But despite obvious promise, The Automatic's debut is ruined by somebody's disastrous decision to allow keyboard player Alex Pennie near a microphone. His moronic stream of terrier-like backing yelps echo Rob's perfectly reasonable singing on almost every song, and once you've noticed, it's inescapable. What a crying bloody shame.

Charlie Ivens

Final Fantasy – He Poos Clouds (Tomlab)

Once you get past this album's thoroughly off-putting title and discover that FF, aka Owen Pallet, is in fact The Arcade Fire's string arranger, He Poos Clouds makes more sense. Pallet's tricks are two: he plays violin with often jaw-dropping sensitivity and emotion, and he makes fruitful use of a looping pedal. This album adds an elegant string quartet to his already sumptuously layered violin tracks and reedy vox – an esoteric treat for the ears.

Charlie Ivens