Monday 14/07/03 Easyworld @ Academy 2, Liverpool

Comparisons to JJ72 extend further than Easyworld's line-up, ie boy, boy and a girl on bass, not too mention some ball squeezing vocals. Their nursery rhyme opener 'Saddest Song' was accompanied with gentle harmonies, and whilst Dav Ford tries at times he doesn't match Mark Greeney's oestrogen-fuelled chipmunk squeak. Not that this is an issue or even something Easyworld are trying to do; instead Ford and co plough on with their own, not necessarily highly unique brand of indie rock.

At time Easyworld seem to be tapping into the world of David Gray with songs like 'Junkies and Whores', yet at other times they produce the likes of upbeat 'You & Me' for what Ford calls "the shallower moments in life" when even the most angsty of emo-kids can smile.

During new single 'Second Amendment' the crowd for the first time show real conviction for the heavy use of new material from their latest album 'Kill The Last Romantic'. In the song, described as a criticism of American's right to bear arms and 21st Century foreign policy (yes, another one), Dav rhymes "Daddy's Gone / Go buy a television" and somehow pulls it off.

Still, by the time he's reached Elton John cover 'I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues', Easyworld have sunk back to the sixth form common room, losing the energy and momentum they started with. Instead of the rapt attention the slightly creepy guy that's stood behind me is giving them, I find myself craving for Salt and Vinegar crisps.