The Exits - Neon City

T: Like early Primal Scream performing the songs of Oasis.

N: Hailed as "Portsmouth's answer to the Mancunian Legends", this band go someway to urge the statement "mutton dressed as lamb", it's almost as if they are trying to hard.

T: They could have you.

N: I'm not saying they couldn't, but the presentation doesn't come easily. I'm not fooled. The regurgitation of the collision dance music made with indie in the later eighties.

T: Ah. You mean they sound like Kasabian.

N: Have you been reading my notes? But if that's the case the Leicester band beat them to the pot of gold. But do you understand my reference to this not exactly sitting easily?

T: I do, but I still think these are well composed songs that are at least worthy of some carrots.

N: Carrots maybe, but I draw the line at parsnips. 7/10

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Anderson Brothers - Solid Blue

T: As the turtle would suggest (ahem), this is a collection of solid, standard blues tunes.

N: Meet and greet 10 numbers, played in the traditional blues timing. Think Robert Cray, Eric Clapton, even The Stone Roses in part, alright it's not these artists, but this atmospheric collection of numbers meets the ears with not only a familiar tone, but like sipping a smooth and smoky malt. Encounter the artists, as you might on their web site and you're meeting with The Blues Brothers, but in a light suit. This is a slick collection of moments, I guess these guys have been playing the clubs for years, where they've learnt their craft, lived the mood and honed the whole package until the bodywork shines. I've not played my old Robert Cray vinyl for years and if anything this has reawoken what it was that inspired me to hunt this out in the first place. Watch this space and 'Strong Persuader' could well be playing from an open window near you soon. 8/10

web site - myspace

Sound Sanctuary - Dust (Lo-Tek/Friendly Tribe Music)

T: Fans of Dirty Vegas may be pleased to hear that Sound Sanctuary are continuing their laid back brand of ambient folk, and the experience is like having your senses massaged gently by angels. Very pleasant.

N: I was first introduced to this band, what is now a year ago, when I reveiewed their single 'Broken Signs'. Now having the opportunity to hear their long player, I can say that I'm not disappointed. Still showing signs that reek of Gomez, the band show that they are more than just this comparison in having produced a well rounded album of 11 songs that manoeuvre between styles and tempos, although laid back certainly appears the pace the band are most happy with. 9/10

web site - myspace

Steven Messenger - Edge Of The Wall (Big Fat Skinny Records) OUT NOW

T: Somewhere in the dark recesses of the Atomicduster office there lurked a pile of CDs by unknown and unsigned artists which screamed "Review me! We've been left here since September and you've done bugger all with us". Yes readers, we must sheepishly confess that we'd forgotten all about this pile, and left it on the doorstep like an abandoned child. However, I've matured since and I'm now ready to adopt. Amongst this pile is this oddity. i have to confess alarm bells were set ringing when I noticed that Steven - on the back cover of this album - looks rather like Clive Dunn in a bondage hat...

N: ...it takes all sorts...

T: ...but I was pleasantly surprised by this multi-talented instrumentalist, and if I was putting a CD together and wanted an air of quality, I would have no hesitation in calling up Mr. Messenger as a session musician. He describes himself as a "contemporary crossover jazz artist with an edge", and that's hard to argue with. It's not the kind of stuff we generally get sent, as a rule, but I'm all for embracing this mellow but always interesting set of songs, by someone who is clearly at the top of his game within his genre. Parts of this remind me of Vangelis ("Seattle Summer" being a prime example) and some of it would fit beautifully into the background of a Californian tourism video. There's something insanely addictive about "Edge Of The Wall" and let me pre-empt what I expect Nick to say by saying that I actually think it's great, despite what's about to spurt forth from his mouth...

N: But in fairness, Steven's brand of mid-afternoon easy listening you might well hear ringing out from the floor in the local department store. His brings that air of "buy me" to the featured products, perhaps the latest kitchenware, clothing specials, or latest Bontempi, products that might otherwise be found "against the wall" rather than "hot spotted".

T: So you DO like it after all then?

N: Well, in all fairness, there's very little to dislike. As you've already said, a musician who knows his place and is good at his game. He'll never be the latest Kaiser Chiefs, and in THAT hat, I don't think they'd take him seriously. Anyway, I don't think Steven would ever "PANIC!", to paraphrase Clive Dunn. Lift music for the otherwise dispossessed musicians of the world. 8/10

web site - myspace