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The Automatic - Not Accepted Anywhere

Album Reviews

The cynical may complain, the boring may not like it, but by injecting a sizeable slice of pop into the new wave, post punk revolution 'Not Accepted Anywhere' more than does the job.

Thirty seconds. That's the amount of time it takes for 'Not Accepted Anywhere' to pull off its first yelping, jerking irresistable hook line, trashing the hype machine in the process. That'll be The Automatic.

There's been more than a fair share of expectation planted on the shoulders of Wales' latest sharp edged punk screamsters; their debut album talked of in hushed tones, the indie scenesters already cleaning the first blood off their sharpened knives, determined to get their first blow in before the masses descend. It isn't 2005, they aren't Kaiser Chiefs, even if they do share a label, and there is an Arctic Monkeys around; a new band has to jump higher than ever to make the A grade.

It's a bloody good job 'That's What She Said' gets its punches in so early, then. Whirring synth lines, post punk guitar lines and a screaming breakdown in the middle eight, statements of intent don't come much better than this. 'Raoul' isn't one to drop the baton either, packed with a deceptively catchy chorus and vocal hook. 'Keep Your Eyes Peeled' kicks off like it's planning to turn things down a notch, then explodes into a chorus of glitches and stabs, while 'Recover' sounds a million dollars. Four tracks in and The Automatic might just be on to something.

That's without even mentioning the big pop single. 'Monster' isn't just the catchiest thing you're likely to hear this summer, it's the point where a potentially good album becomes certifiably ace. 'Lost At Home', a relatively slow burning athem by The Automatic's standards sounds close to epic, with its electric twitches matching an intro that sounds like it's been stolen from the big book of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. 'You Shout, You Shout...' bashes the listener into a mushy pulp before 'Seriously... I Hate You Guys' turns claustrophobic, packed with spooky, on the edge synths.

It's 'Team Drama' that proves saving the best for last is a worthwhile mantra, however. A spiky dancefloor stomp, 'By My Side' comes close to matching it for sheer impact, with cries of " is this the end of the world?" You'd be forgiven for imagining it is.

In a climate where a bit too much press can be fatal, The Automatic have a lot to live up to. Tipped for big things since the first whispers spread around the toilet circuit, they've just about pulled it off. The cynical may complain, the boring may not like it, but by injecting a sizeable slice of pop into the new wave, post punk revolution 'Not Accepted Anywhere' more than does the job. Rating: 8/10