The Vacation – 'Band from World War Zero' Released 27/09/04

I imagine these songs sound far, far better live. Opener 'White Noise' and third track, the stuttery, grinding, moaning and infectious 'Spiders', are on the verge of making me bounce around the room until the people upstairs phone down to complain about the noise and I have to turn it down.

'Destitute Prostitutes' skirts the frills garters of revolution “we’re destitute/ we’re prostitutes/ we’re out for blood “ before quashing it with an attempt at controversy “we’re destitute/ we’re prostitutes/ we know our place/ is in out cage.� Preposterous, half-screamed lines and sinister echoes abound supported by tom heavy percussion and tribal bass.

These LA boys want to write an urban rock anthem that will rival and ruin Paradise City. But are they trying just a little too hard? 'Cherry Cola' definitely feels that way, and 'Hollywood Forever' is a little dire for exactly that reason, the chorus “You and me/ and Hollywood forever!� is a cheesy as the opening guitar hooks.

The problem is despite the ambition, despite the potential potency of some of these tunes the passion is lacking, with the middle few tracks going a little awry to say the least. They feel like the soft-filling of a dark chocolate liqueur – bitter on the outside, sickly sweet and gooey on the inside. Could have been worse – the centre could have been hollow.

However… with track number 9, 'No hard feelings', they recapture that jerky, angsty vibe. Again I want to hear this live. It’s a one-two chord work out followed but an impressive thumbing crescendo carried along by crashing cymbals and smart stick work and even though the bass goes awol the lyrics aren’t to bad. 'Liquid Lunch' and 'Trash' help towards a strong and respectable finish. Hence, despite the lack of spark, “I have no hard feelings for youâ€� either.