The Violets - ‘Descend/ Carnival’ (Angular Records) 06/02/06

This double A-side, The Violets second single, shows a band with two faces. First up ‘Descend’ opens out with shotgun riffs that sound like they’ve taken a rusty saw to even rustier guitar strings and then works its way through some pop-punk with sharper edges than Edward Scissor Hands. On the other side ‘Carnival’ is a more brooding affair, tribal-esque drums beat a hypnotising rhythm and swirling, jittery melodies rise through Lene Lovich’s piercing vocals, she seemingly possessed by a howling banshee. Both songs are achingly “now”, ticking every box in the scenester‘s current guide to good music but who gives a **** when its this damn good - now will someone help me into my new skinny jeans?!