Album Review: Hue And Cry - Pocketful of Stones

Well this might be for you - the new record from Scottish brotherly duo Hue And Cry.

Their album cover might make them look like two enforcers from a Cockney gangster flick, but behind the stern facial expressions lies a soft pop sound that carries spoonfuls of melody.

Patrick and Gregory Kane are Glaswegian brothers who have been with us on and off since the 80s in various musical guises - drum 'n' bass, Afrobeat and R&B have all made it into their releases.

But they feel this is their spiritual home, soaring choruses masking political themes, reflection and parenthood on 12 tracks. Family really is a theme, too, with Pat's youngest daughter Eleanor duetting on Let Her Go.

But does it sound all too sickly sweet? Yeah, it probably is.

As bad as we feel for saying it, Pat Kane's vocals are quite...annoying. A few tracks in you are crying out for a change in tone, it almost feels too heavy licked across the music and almost overpowering it in some places.

Its light demeanour is fine at first. It Happened Here is the perfect example of a sing-along number perfect for a sit down show at say, Birmingham's Symphony Hall on a light summer evening.

But it varies little. Beautiful Construction, When We're Not Strong, Pocketful Of Stones all follow the same format - euphoric choruses with orchestral elements where you can picture Emma Stone/Jennifer Lawrence/your Hollywood star of choice swinging around the lamppost as her dress flows and her smile beams.

By the time you reach the end of the show you wish you had walked out at the interval. There is little depth to what is primarily a sugar coated walk through nature.

So if musicals aren't your thing, it's probably best to steer clear. Each track may be fine by themselves, but together they blend into one long journey that does little to excite the eardrums other than brief dalliances of brass crescendo.

Rating: 2/5

Hue and Cry are playing a piano and vocals headline concert at Birmingham Pizza Express on Saturday, before playing with the full band at Wolverhampton's Robin 2 on Sunday, July 16.