Grand National - 'Kicking The Habit' - (Sunday Best) Released 24/05/04

What do you get when you cross the early 1990’s Manchester scene and the Police? No its not a joke, you get these guys, Grand National aka Rupert Lyddon and Lawrence Rudd. This, their debut album really is something that deserves to be bigged up, they've combined a range of genres to create a pop/rock/ska record that is fresh and innovative. Throughout the album simple but effective melodies are consistent and so far, this early in their career the duo have been likened to New Order, The Happy Mondays and The Police.

Hailing from Weston Super Mare and Buckinghamshire these boys have played their fair share of pubs and clubs, only stumbling on the big time when delivering meat to a studio Primal Scream were recording at. Lyddon and The Scream became firm friends and the duo were offered free recording time. The eclectic style of Kicking The National Habit is similar to that of The Scream but with Grand National’s identity firmly fixed on the album.

Rudd's voice is extremely distinctive on the album, maybe due to the similarities between his own voice and Sting’s, but definitely because he has a voice that most female singers would kill for, reaching notes that most men could only achieve when in distinct pain. Anyway, the music - each track is a real treat. Opener ‘Drink to Moving on’ is made up of melodic guitar riffs and Sting-esque vocals to a background of New Order beats. ‘Talk Amongst Yourselves’ is a hybrid of electro-pop and Bohemian Rhapsody harmonies, the lyrics ‘I blame it on myself cos I can’t keep anything down’ sets up the theme of puking in public.

Ever heard The Specials on speed? ‘Boner’ sounds just like that, choppy guitars and bongos all add to this uplifting tune without the use of class A’s. Just when you think that Grand National couldn’t possibly fit anymore different styles on one album ‘Cherry Tree’ comes blasting on, hitting you hard with a 70’s pop track done better then it ever was back then,  a chorus that must belong to Abba really makes this ode to one night stands, if you care about your ears at all, then get this album.