Pale - 'How to Survive Chance' (Defiance Records) Released 27/01/03

From a country more recently noted for its warped electronic excursions (Schneider TM, Chicks on Speed), Pale represent a curious beast. Germany's answer to EMO, on this second outing Pale offer lessons on how to survive chance and fail on pretty much every level.

"Goodbye Trouble" limps forlornly by like Jimmy Eat World on a particularly bad day at the office whilst flirtations with stompalong Supernaturals rinky-dinky pop, ("Karaoke Queen" and "Lets Get It On"), just sound plain embarrassing.

Saved by a couple of low-key acoustic laments in "Pink Towers" and "All Walls are Bricks", HTSC isn't perhaps the disaster that it may appear to be on first listen. It is, however, abject proof that Britpop c1995 isn't perhaps the most advisable reference point if you want to avoid career suicide.