Dartz! - 'This Is My Ship' (Xtra Mile) Released 12/02/07

Having whipped much of the music press into a pre- orgasmic frenzy with their previous releases, Dartz! with their debut album ‘This Is My Ship’ have a lot to live up to. Even in its most chilled moments the drive of the drums is almost relentless. It makes you long for summer days, cheap booze and casual sex in the grass. Alternatively, in this winter weather singing along at the top of your voice while vacuuming will have to do.

The seemingly chilled out ‘Cold Holidays’ is the happiest song almost like Athlete ‘s edgier younger brother. Kudos for the inclusion of  the word ‘perpendicular’ without making it sound awkward or pretentious. Just as the closing acoustic guitar makes you feel all warm inside the stomping chaos of ‘Prego Triangolos’ begins. An ejaculation of cymbals, driving drums and superb scratchy guitar interspersed with eccentricity. If you can listen to this without shouting out the chorus then you are quite possibly dead. ‘You have three sides but you’re not a triangle.’

What makes this trio so good is the fact that you don’t know what you’re getting next, but whatever it is, you can be assured that it is delivered with skill and energy. William and Phillip’s vocals spar with the musical  backdrop. It’s like watching Bruce Lee for first time. You know it’s special. ‘Harbour' contains a layers of guitars some woozy some that will be loved by rock kids. In fact by the time you get to ‘Harbour’ you realise that this is one of the strengths of the band. The fact that they combine so many things in their sound makes them a prefect crossover band that will appeal to indie and rock kids.

Hell, the fact that manage to combine this angular sound with energy and pensive lyrics makes it impossible for them not to be ‘the next big thing’ Those who remotely liked the singles ‘Once, Twice , Again!’ and ‘St Petersburg’  should look smug just about now. To bastardise  a well known ad campaign ‘I have heard the future, the future’s Northern’.