The Motorpool - 'Wrecking Ball EP' (Battenburg) Released 03/07/06

Brothers who form bands together can either be incredibly successful (Oasis) or pretty shit (Bros, Embrace). Mummy Traxler will be hoping her sons Billy and James’s band The Motorpool follow Liam and Noel into the heady heights of success rather than becoming a Journey South type laughing stock. The ‘Wrecking Ball EP’ is a mixture of styles with stomping anthems, intimate piano parts and Billy Traxlers unique vocals all impressing. ‘Wrecking Ball’ kicks off the EP in eponymous style and sets the tone for what the listener should expect. Obviously influenced by the likes of U2 and Smashing Pumpkins the track has an epic nature to it though it never fully enthrals the listener. ‘Insomniac’ is a tired and derivative song that follows the “Quiet verse, loud chorus” party line to exasperating effect. ‘Credit Card’ is an ode to being in debt, perhaps Ocean Finance should adopt it as their theme tune? Luckily for The Motorpool ‘Carry On’ saves them some credibility as it is a string laden beautiful ballad. Don’t expect to be seeing The Motorpool selling out Knebworth too soon.