SOMA HIGH- Something about you EP

In Aldous Huxley’s classic sci-fi novel, ‘Brave new world’, the feel-good drug of choice goes by the name of Soma. But does this quartet have the same effect? Well, weighing it up, the best drugs are usually addictive and I wouldn’t go that far with Soma High. Though they are catchy, they are really more mainstream legal highs than gritty Pete-Doherty-crack-pipe-toking euphoria. Probably a good thing really. Fresh from the South coast and with support slots with Cage The Elephant and Razorlight under their belts, what isn’t edgy about these young whippersnappers is complimented by a reliable infectious energy that has grabbed the attention of the likes of Kerrang Radio and XFM, a safe bet on lyrical content about modern life and its emotions to go with what they call their unique brand of ‘pop-tastic groove’. Or something. They sound like Franz Ferdinand a bit. Er, the singer also has something in his voice that sounds quite annoying, like he’s trying to take off Matt Bellamy and can’t quite manage it. But what do I know? This review is also about six months late so they have probably released something better by now.

Released on 27th September, 2010 (whoops!). Also available via I-Tunes.

www.myspace.com/somahigh

MODERN SUPERSTITIONS- All the things we’ve been told

What’s this? A trio of teenage childhood friends who have fashioned themselves as the next big thing? A couple of well-groomed blokes led by a frontgirl who alternates between raucous and seductive and looks good in hotpants? With this in mind, Modern Superstitions are not, for me at least, the most exciting of groups. But are they any good? To rock and roll what padded bras are to under-12s shopping in Primark, these young nubile beauties excitedly hail from Toronto and have been released through the label that discovered Death From Above 1979 (big brownie points there, despite, sadly, sounding nothing like them).
For fans of Razorlight and Sons and Daughters- and so for those who like a bit of indie/punk in their tea- MS also try to inject a bit of originality through a frisson of catchy Motown beats, pretty guitar melodies and classic ‘doo-wop’ backing vocals, which, whilst making for some undeniably catchy little numbers, still frustratingly end up sounding less soulful and more formulaic guitar-pop, perhaps what The Noisettes might sound like if they didn’t have Ms Shoniwa. Regardless, stand-out tracks include ‘Love that beats my heart’, for its sexy quality, and the cheerful shimmy of ‘Mercy Line’ which they will no doubt be playing to rapturous applause when they hit the Great Escape Festival this weekend. Which surely goes some way to answering my initial question about said talent. Doesn’t it?

Released 18th October, 2010. I think they have gained another band member since then too…

www.myspace.com/modernsuperstitions

Anna C