Little Barrie – ‘We Are Little Barrie’ (Genuine/PIAS Records) Released 07/02/05

And apparently he'd rather turn to architecture...

February 18, 2005 by Davina Earl

Little Barrie – ‘We Are Little Barrie’ (Genuine/PIAS Records) Released 07/02/05

Little Barrie have a cool and bluesy coffee-house feel; when they’re on form the cushions are plump the muffins are warm and it’s cosily boho - but too often they’re Starbucks dull, the ashtrays are overflowing with stale fag ends and there’s a distinct lack of atmosphere.

They put their best foot forward with the gorgeously groovy James Brown-esque album opener, 'Free Salute'. Loose-lipped, chilled, mellow – it will be the perfect accompaniment to this summer’s booze-fuelled, lazy barbeques. The vocals are robust but chilled out, with breezy backing crooning and concluding spiralling guitar riffs to justify the band’s Bees comparisons. It’s a winner. As is 'Greener Pastures' with it’s pure, shiver-inducing vocals and tickling guitar riffs.

Unfortunately, the rest of the album doesn’t fulfil the initial promise – throughout the musicianship is faultless and the sound is completely rotund and organic – but it just lacks the magic oomph which hardens your nipples at the prospect of another listen. The laidback vibe which works so well on the likes of 'Free Salute' and 'Greener Pastures' sinks soporifically to the monotonous in 'Burned Out', which is exactly as the title suggests – sluggish, fat-arsed and dull. This big-bottomed boredom carries onto 'Be The One', 'Please Tell Me', 'Well And Truly Done'…err and the rest really.

'Long Hair' isn’t too bad; stout guitar strums mingle with a catchy garage-blues hook – but if that’s what you’re after – the Blueskins are doing it better.

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