Friday 25/05/07 The Little Ones @ Barfly, Liverpool

The weather is hot, people are drinking cider and buying BBQs and fat men are wandering through town without their shirts on - that’s right summertime is upon us. Thanks to a smoking ban and the Apocalypse in waiting known as Global Warming 2007 will be a fresh and red hot time and who better to soundtrack the sun than California’s own The Little Ones. Making bright, shimmery pop that belongs on a deckchair with a 99 The Little Ones don’t really fit in at the Barfly which, though charming, is more bum than beach. Still the band manages to inject some good time vibes to the paltry crowd that have come to see them.

‘High On A Hill’ is the bands opening gambit and one of the highlights from this years mini album ‘Sing Song’, starting with a gentle guitar strum (Much like all their songs) the song oozes sweetness and light. As the set progresses the whole of the mini album is played alongside some new tracks. ‘Oh MJ’ and ‘Face The Facts’ are highlights showing that The Little Ones know their way around a chorus better than most bands around. The best however is saved for last with ‘Lovers Who Uncover’ already a contender for single of the year. More direct and fast than their other tracks it sounds like Brian Wilson fronting Weezer.

Despite every individual song being good tonight’s gig is far from memorable. There is something about The Little Ones that is just a bit dull. OK, they do nothing wrong and its unfair to criticise them for being happy but they have no edge at all, an American Magic Numbers you could say. In three minute blasts they are great but in a half hour slab they begin to grate. Quite frankly after the set ended we felt like we had been in the sun too long.