Reviewed by David George

This energetic quartet hail from the land of Portishead and Polly Harvey and although it's uneven their five track sampler shows some promise. The opener "She Is Wisdom" is the best track by at least a couple of light years. Jangling guitars, a smoking drum machine... Cross U2 with Tricky and you'd be about there. And you want bass? You got it. Small ornaments flew off shelves as the thunderous rhythm track kicked in - a pleasant surprise on a cassette produced with a budget that probably wouldn't pay for Amy Grant's manicurist. Unfortunately, after that it's largely downhill. Energy is no substitute for a couple of good tunes and things are not helped by the under-cooked lead guitar playing and over-cooked lyrics. By the time you get to side two and "Knock It Down", which seems to concern a dispute between two building contractors - "This is my wall/I'll knock it down..." - the band have shot their musical bolt. But it's a good start, and with some stronger material I suspect this is not the last we'll hear of Strange Blue World. Watch this space.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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