The Blood Arm - 'Suspicious Character' (City Rockers) Released 11/09/06

Much-touted as favourites of those all-conquering Scot art-rockers Franz Ferdinand, it doesn't need a degree in rocket science to work out where LA's The Blood Arm are coming from. 'Suspicious Character' certainly ticks all the associated boxes - a stomping beat, urgent jangling guitar line, dark lyrics and a catchy vocal hook - but it never really convinces, if only because it so accurately copies every nuance of their patrons right down to the well spoken, disaffected twang.  The Blood Arm: 4 Real?  We're not so sure.