Lowline - Monitors

1-2-3-4 Records

There are few surprises in life and, given the facts about Lowline, how their debut single sounds isn’t going to be one of them.

They come from Manchester, are produced by Owen Morris of Oasis fame and they’ve been heralded by members of The Verve and The Enemy as the band most capable of reviving your faith in rock and roll in 2008. Certainly ‘Monitors’ isn’t a bad opening salvo but it’s far from the “timeless indie anthem” some claim it to be. What’s arguably more interesting is b-side ‘Last Chance’ which shows a harder side to the band’s sound - more reminiscent of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club than their other, more blatant influences.

The rockier vibe seems to suit them but lyrics that rhyme ‘salvation’ with ‘situation’ and every other word ending in ‘tion let things down. More obvious couplings have not been heard since Mr Spoon visited Button Moon. Stewart McCullough

Issue #51 - I Told You This Would Be A Good Issue

Featuring Biffy Clyro, Of Montreal, Duke Special, Frightened Rabbit, Cold War Kids, Jay Reatard, Pat Mills, and more.