The Envy Corps – ‘Story Problem EP’ (Vertigo) Released 19/02/07

If you thought that when The Envy Corps joined the ‘big-label’ league that’d they change their sound you’d be wrong. ‘Story Problem EP’ proves that they haven’t lost their love for all things big sounding, and further affirms their wish to become a big band. ‘Story Problem EP’ is an EP which switches from the breakdown riffs of Coldplay to the majestic joy of the Doves – and that’s just in the title-track. Staying with the larger than life theme, ‘Sylvia [The Beekeepers],’ tenderly romantic lyrics are pushed along by stirring drum rolls which stop the song from ever relenting. After an acoustic pause (‘Rooftop’) it’s back to big business as usual with the progressive funk of, ‘Party Dress,’ where Darner morbidly yelps, “But I could not imagine such frightening fun as dying.” Although dying might not be everyone’s idea of fun, The Envy Corps majestic mini-anthems that make up this EP certainly are.