Crosbi - 'All In' (Split) Released 17/07/06

It’s debatable whether Crosbi have the depth to make a real impact, especially with an antiquated sound so reliant on The La’s and John Power’s spin-off Cast. Hailing from Wrexham, and all related, Crosbi admit to seeing themselves “as a cowboy from out of town walking into a bar”, creating a loner-rebel-stranger identity, “but the thing is, we’re going to take over so it doesn’t really matter”  they conclude. The press bumf tries to clarify that this is not arrogance and that true believers will recognise it as something bigger. Certainly, Crosbi seem to have the machinations to deliver but based on debut ‘All In’ that time is a long way off.

Barely able to grow moustaches, the requisite for any cowboy, whether he chooses to wear it or not, lead singer Andy Jones & Co look like the doppelgangers of Leeds based The Music, who where last heard busking their way back from Italy and without getting too Russell Grant, Crosbi may end up doing the same. There are some murmurings of quality on ‘All In’ like raucous opener ‘Coastline’ and halfway track ‘Someway’ but 2 out of 12 is chimpanzee, especially for a group backed by Ex-Inspiral Carpet Clint Boon, who had them play at his wedding.

A major problem is Jones’ voice, which clatters with the influence of Lee Mavers, Richard Ashcroft and a little bit of Bono somewhere in the background. No doubt he hits the notes, but does so like he’s got 10 grams of whiz rammed up his snout, the overall affect becoming irritating and comedic after a while. The band is in similar form as they bash out their pleasing neutral jangle but a lack of angularity sees them wash over you pretty ineffectually. Without serious development Crosbi will end up on the scrap heap no matter who is backing them. If Wild Stallions can, Crosbi can, and at the least, they’re better than Embrace.