Released 25/01/10, Lo-Five Records

It would be like stepping outside your door in our current climate wearing a vest, some long johns, a scarf and a pair of wellies. You have got the basic fundamentals in place, but these are no good unless you add something to it. This is the main problem for the Glaswegian five-piece The Seventeenth Century. They are all more than competent on their instruments and possess the abilities to combine some good vocal harmonies, although if that is all you have to offer is it really enough? Not for me anyway.

The first song to appear on the EP is the title track, 'Notes', which starts off slowly and never really kicks in. The chorus sounds as if it is building up to something decent then fades away again and before you know it the second tune starts. This is called 'Roses In The Park' and starts off with a lot more promise before losing itself in the repetition of its own lyrics. The other track to appear on the record is named 'Young Francis' and why it is buried this far down is beyond me; it is the stand-out track and offers greater variety both in instrumentation and lyrical ability.  

Posted In Single Reviews, Feb 11 2010. Words - Stephen