It's rarely a good sign when you can spot a band's influences within thirty seconds of hitting the Play button. In the case of Editors (they insist that there's definitely no definite article), their sound is often a dead ringer for the post-punk bleakness of Joy Division, Echo and the Bunnymen and early U2. But, wonder of wonders, this new Birmingham outfit turn out to be that rare thing - a band who write such great songs, you stop worrying about their musical debts and start appreciating on them on their own merits instead. The Back Room is driven by an incredible power and urgency, with dense, distorted soundscapes and low vocals from Tom Smith that occasionally erupt into eloquent, spitting rage. Debut album of the year? It's certainly a strong contender.
