If you're going to write The Pigeon Detectives off before you even hear them, don't do it because they've been compared to a plethora of carbon copy pop-rock bands. Don't do it because they've supported the Kaiser Chiefs, who are reputedly, big fans of their fellow citymen. Don't even do it because the lead singer looks like Glen from Nighty Night. Write them off because their name is completely, unmitigatedly rubbish. Alternatively, you could give the Leeds natives' debut album a listen, and consequently decide that although it's far from original or inventive, it's still bloody enjoyable. Since signing to the Forward, Russia!-governed label dancetotheradio, The Pigeon Detectives have enjoyed success with their initial singles - and with Wait For Me charting at Number 3 upon its release, are now also set to enjoy the same degree of popularity as the aforementioned Kaiser Muppets. There are no onerous 'ooooooooohs' or novelty 'nanananananas' here, however; although a lot of Wait For Me is admittedly samey, the brevity and bounce of the twelve tracks here ensure that at least the pace never falters. The blithe, uptempo guitar-pop of opener Romantic Type is atypical of the album as a whole, with Matt Bowman sounding like George Formby in Converse and skinny jeans. I'm Not Sorry, Take Her Back and I'm Always Right are similar tunes with sharp-as-darts licks that pay musical homage to the likes of Arctic Monkeys and The Cribs, while Bowman occasionally churns out a lyric that Alex Turner would approve of, and there are even doffs of the cap to The Beatles (the jaunty retro pop of I Found Out) and The Coral (the scratchy, garagey thump-pop of Can't Control Myself) here, too. It's highly unlikely that The Pigeon Detectives will be pioneers of any forthcoming musical revolution; yet, despite the arm-long list of bands that they purloin from, Wait For Me is an album imbued with a cheeky-chappy Northern charm that's nigh impossible to resist. Great fun.

Your Comments

No comments have been posted for this article yet. Be the first!