Going right back to the first time I saw this band, I described them as outside of any category with which I was familiar – and that still applies. Beyond mere folk-rock, too eclectic for mere indie, completely unique and everything performed with quality, clarity and a wicked lyrical viewpoint.
Their second EP opens with “Dumba Dumba”, a fast and furious slice of indie folk-rock with Drew on lead vocals and, for such a short track, an arrangement that's full of extra curricular sounds such a girlie harmonies, pipes and more, the core of Luva Anna driving things forward on a song that veritably races along to adrenaline-rousing degree, full-sounding and memorable, but disappearing in a blur as it rushes by waiting for you to take the ride once more next time. Up next is “Sticky Feet”, a long-standing stage favourite that's simply a fantastic slice of songwriting, extolling the virtues – or otherwise – of the pubs, clubs and venues and the people who frequent them, taking in swinging rhythms, passionate feelings sung to perfection by Drew with lyrical mannerisms that fit the subject to a tee, as the observational song unfolds, the icing on the cake provided by some restrained acoustic guitar strumming and a chorus that's truly beautiful in the light of the main subject of the song, and also insanely catchy. A heated electric guitar break provides a neat slice of power while the final few seconds end the song with a piece of cosmic calm courtesy of Dave Webster's soaring, almost Beach Boys-esque, vocal distance and delicate acoustic guitar as it all slowly fades into a (drunken) haze. “Grantown On Spey” IS a folk track, but true to form, it's delivered, once again, by vocalist Drew with a biting lead vocal that really makes you sit up and take notice of what is also another fine slice of songwriting. The chorus is memorable with Dave Webster adding high register vocals to give an extra texture, while the mid-section instrumental break features flowing acoustic guitar and flute as the rhythm section swing merrily forward on a track that is the acceptable face of folk in a contemporary sounding world.
The EP ends with Dave Webster's “Coma Girl”, a stunning slice of songwriting with some highly engaging, double-entendre, “risque”, lyrics, all delivered by Webster with fantastic passion as he sings, squeals and soars through a track that starts out slow and then positively speeds ahead in a blaze of rousing folk-rock, but it's Webster's vocal performance that takes it way beyond the realms of categorisation, turning into just yet another gem of a a song, driving its way into your heart and your head. Short, sharp, incisive and yet just sublime, there's nothing on here that's less than addictive, but at the same time, nothing you're ever really going to tire of hearing – in fact, it's timeless songs deliciously performed, played and arranged from a band that the world should have discovered a long time ago – but there's still time!!