Reviews

Sometimes the best music is the simplest.

For all the grandeur and pomp of a U2 gig or a Spiritualised album, complete with prerequisite full orchestra and gospel choir, it can be the songs made of the most rudimentary of musical materials that are the most profound.

Standing in Puddles have five songs currently available on MySpace.

Their music is deceptively simple sounding - the stuff of late night camp fires - and the song's contents match the back to basics nature of the music.

Each track is filled with self doubt, yearning for love and a boredom with the same old arguments.

It's kitchen sink stuff: the bargain basement, bare bones school of music. And it is all the more beautiful and poignant because of it.

"I'd Like to Have an Argument, Please"

Recurring arguments are in themselves recurring themes in the songs: "Lost [my pride] in an argument which I saw coming from a mile away" is the second line from 'Wasted Days' while 'Finally Progressing' observes the "argument has gone on for too long" and 'What You Want' features the sighed "argue again - it's becoming more regular".

In amongst the rows there is a thick sense of world weariness peppered with nervousness for the future and regret for the past.

There is an overwhelming sense of vulnerability here which bears some resemblance to that found in Syd Barrett's songs with and without Pink Floyd and, more recently, Graham Coxon's solo work.

Fear and Self Loathing in Cheltenham

'Meet Someone', the first track, is a case in point. It's a thumb sketch of self doubt in action (or even inaction): "You look down the street/you see someone/you would like to meet/but every time you back out/and stop, turn around and forget".

The repetition of these lines is heart breaking. The poor bloke is doomed.

Throughout the track the songs speed up and slow down of their own accord while the keyboard wheezes on in the background.

It all adds together to produce some of the most touching music you will find coming out of Gloucestershire at the moment.

The result is beautifully shambolic. Shambolically beautiful.

Standing in Puddles are:
Jim - Vocals/Guitar/Keyboard
Aaron - Drums/Keyboard/backing vocals
Dex - Bass

This article is an external contribution and expresses a personal opinion, not necessarily the views of the BBC.