Little Barrie - 'Stand Your Ground' (Genuine) Released 29/01/07

Now while Little Barrie might sound like the name of your local problem child who’s got more ASBO’s for torching cats whiskers than he’s got restraining orders, rest assured this isn’t him. In fact, if little Barry (the ASBO moocher) and Little Barrie (the band) have anything in common; it’s that they’ve both had an unstable history that’s been capricious from their conception.

Although ‘Stand Your Ground,’ is their second album, Nottingham born Little Barrie have actually been ‘together’ since 1999. In that time we’ve seen the rise and tumbling falls of iconic bands, and two terms of a destructive and rather less iconic Labour Government. That’s just the first puzzling fact about Little Barrie, who only released their long anticipated debut album two years ago – six years after their first single. It’s almost a surprise, therefore, to have a copy of their follow-up so soon – surely its four years too early by their previous work rates? On the contrary – like their debut it’s the album they could, and certainly should have delivered a lot sooner – but better late than never eh?  

‘Stand Your Ground,’ like their previous releases, plays like a journey through the history of Rock and Soul, with a healthy amount of Deep South Blues sprinkled liberally throughout. This time however, it’s a far more venomous and intense listen, as Barrie Cadogan documents the emotions of having the rug pulled from under you. After a fairly inauspicious start – ‘Bailing Out’ sounds like a mood setter more than anything – the album really gets going with, ‘Love You,’ which features an infectious bass line pulled straight from a 60’s American diner and Cadogan’s flawless guitar jabs. It’s not hard to understand why he’s freelanced for Morrissey and Primal Scream, and been heralded one of the best guitarists of his generation. His ability with the guitar enables the rise and falls of, ‘Pretty Pictures,’ and the concert hall sound of, ‘Green Eyed Fool,’ to reverberate round your ear drums, like they would if he was serenading you in a restaurant (sorry diner).