Sweet Grandmothers spatula, this is a completely brilliant surprise. Upon receiving a demo with twee artwork from a Dublin band called Heritage Centre called The City, The Tree & The Fox, I half expected to be sedated with folk songs about whales, and saving the Earth, man. But this is a pop/rock effort, with each song exploring the in-betweens of the scale from pop to rock. And all the way through, it is unreservedly enjoyable, and quite brilliant.

 
The first song, 'You Are Something', begins at the pop end of the range. It’s an out and out pop song, rather like The Feeling, with piano keys that twinkle like far away stars and a “Get over yourself” line that just forces you to sing along. Second song 'Death By Science' is a stark contrast, with cutting guitars and even more cutting lyrics. “Hang your head in shame/You’re a superstitious bitch.” There’s some kind of bipolar disorder at work here that shouldn’t be medicated, it should be encouraged.


'Losing Touch' sounds a bit like 'Arts & Crafts' by Red Light Company, but it seems to have a bit more about it. It’s sweet without being soppy, and it’s beautifully delivered. But as soon as the thudding drums and rambunctious guitars begin on 'Stars', you know you are back in rock territory. It’s not dissimilar to Dandy Warhol’s 'Bohemian Like Me', only with better lyrics. “We could be stars in the city,” they cry, and you fully believe them. It’s a stomper that could be all over reputable rock radio if given half a chance.

' Somehow I Feel Cheated' is a perfect pop/rock combo, with its light lyrics but understated guitars. Other bands would kill for anything close to it. The finale 'Your Leaders Are Dead' is sublime. Sounding like an offshoot of New York Band 'The End Of The World', its vocals are so bruised they should have an X-ray to check there’s no further damage. It’s the culmination of a band who have the instinctive knack of knowing how to write songs with melody and hooks without losing the emotional core at their centre. A&R’s should be all over this if they are doing their jobs right.

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Posted In Demo Corner, Mar 23 2010. Words - Paul