Holy Moly & The Crackers, Take A Bite - album review

A Mumford & Sons-ey country-folk-rock stomp through timed percussion and jagged guitars, it felt like the beginnings of a record we weren't going to particularly like - not our bag.

So we were pleased to discover that this was just one track, and what lay beyond was a riotous blend of dancefloor fun and rocky undercurrents closer to The Coral, Gogol Bordello or Reverend and The Makers than Mumford. This, their third record, is a neon-kissed relief.

Upside Down has a dangerously slinky melody that links the different sections full of the kind of thumping percussion that made brief stars of The Ting Tings. There is a slightly filthy undercurrent to the guitars, like a 'come and play' plea that is masking a slight danger to getting your fingers burned. It's a stormer of a track that will be mesmerising fun live.

That stand-off feel to Can't Get Enough is a stark contrast to this and yet is no less engrossing with its harmonised chorus The Coral would be proud of. Quietly does it is the approach to the verses, before the chorus smacks into play and guitar hooks are thrown around like punches in a bar brawl.

There's more shoulder-bopping party vibes bouncing throughout the make-up of Kiss Me Before You Go, and they erupt again in Sister with distant, distorted riffs that doff a cap in the direction of the majestic Turbowolf.

Swagger is added to the concoction in Through With Talking. This is indie-rock with attitude. The sextet really add some oomph and snarl to their party music, once again expertly orchestrated by Tommy Evans on the drums.

Key to a lot of this is the understated power in the vocals of Ruth Patterson. Ferocity hides in her vocal chords, which occasionally erupts with a pinpoint roar. But it is often shrouded beneath a crisp, clean voice that can croon with the best of them - check out I'd Give It All for her 'Adele' moment.

This lot will be a hoot live, and we don't have long to wait to find out.

Rating: 8/10

Holy Moly & The Crackers play Birmingham's O2 Academy tomorrow