The Tacticians - 'Some Kind Of Urban Fulfillment' (Setanta) Released 13/08/07

Naming a song ‘Hardcore Porn’ may not be the easiest way to endear themselves to the general record buying public but The Tacticians don’t like to make things too easy. And besides, Jarvis Cocker came through his battle with the hard stuff unscathed. Likeable lads with a penchant for jangly guitars and hook-laden choruses they draw comparisons to The Kinks and some elements of The Beatles lurk beneath the gentle pleas of ‘Respectfully Proceeding’.

Borrowing from the Crowded House school of thought, they seem to have the urge to rhyme everything that moves on ‘Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys’. Brothers Joe Jnr and Ollie bounce off each other with weary banter even when recalling sharing hopes and lives with someone ‘busy doing hardcore porn’. Though the calm is spoiled by the gut-wrenchingly twee drawn out ending. With a self-confessed love of "3 minute pop songs", former demo ‘London’s Alright’ and ironic tale ‘Size’ definitely deliver, full of bouncing acoustic guitars and wry observations on the world and the cruelty of girls.

Like the Arctic Monkeys with a touch of London grit and sideshow pianos, they compel ‘get your arse out of my door’. ‘Honey You Aint Needed Anymore’ descends into a brash Nick Cave style rant about the parties he plans to throw after he gets rid.Things seem to tale of towards the end of the album, as urge to fill overrides quality, especially on ‘Ordinary People’, rounding off with the Rolling Stones borrowing ‘Town Full of Losers’.

With a penchant for old-fashioned song writing, given a wry twist, they borrow from everything from ska to Elvis Costello without sounding naff. There are some real gems to be found, but 11 songs is in this case a few too many.