The Holloways - 'So This Is Great Britain' (TVT) Released 30/10/06

Here we have, The Holloways, a band that spans that tiny gap between The Libertines and The Kooks. Track one ‘Great Britain’ starts with a sample of Big Ben and a guitar riff of Land of Hope and Glory. Generally, it’s a bouncy sing along about England and how rubbish it is. It’s not very funny, and a bit contrived and overly political for a band whose real angle is that they create jaunty indie-pop. And when they happily warble “We’re all just a bunch of slaves!” or “It’ll soon be State-Britain” it’s hard to take them seriously.

Similarly, ‘Most Lovely Face’ their ballad to a pretty Kings Cross prostitute seems a bit overly emotional and slightly twee… if it is possible to be twee when talking about prostitutes. Over all though, the rest of the album is a jolly romp through some good old-fashioned London based indie. The band are at their best on ‘Dancefloor’ which sounds a little like a sped up Pulp record with Fururehead-style harmonising. ‘Two Left Feet’ which sees them incorporating a violin and harmonica to create a country style hoe down which has to get the kids jumping. ‘Diamonds and Pearls’ is an indie gem about being in love in the summertime and shedding those winter clothes, travelling to the beach with a football, loads of mates and a 24-pack. ‘Malcontented One’ sees them using a dub inspired bass-line and some punchy lyrics which is taken one step further on the current single ‘Generator’’ which is poppy and brilliantly catchy. With African or two tone-inspired guitar riffage and an upbeat lyric about recording songs off the radio.

Overall this album makes these grey autumn days much more bearable, by next summer this album should have picked up so much speed that it’s permanently glued to every teenagers stereo, and for that alone this album should be celebrated.