MUMM-RA – Out Of The Question (Sony BMG)
Having been knocked out by the band’s last EP I was eagerly awaiting news of their next release when this three tracker slipped out. First hearings indicate that the band have honed the pop elements of their music into a radio-friendly mix of indie pop and rock, with lead track ‘Out Of The Question’ being a catchy song with infectious chorus, and if there was any justice then it would head straight for the charts. ‘Clocks Tick Louder At The Dead Of Night’ is a bit more quirky, with its drastic tempo changes and staccato verses, but it still has an interesting melody and is quite enjoyable. ‘When The Lights Go Out’ is another of the band’s acoustic ballads – quite at odds with what has gone before, but a lovely, haunting song which shows the gentler side of the group. With the added bonus of a video of the lead track, this really is an excellent follow-up to ‘Black Hurts Day…’, and I think that for me their forthcoming album will be the most eagerly awaited release since last years Arctic Monkeys debut.