Who Killed...... The Zutons

When The Zutons first emerged from Merseyside, many commentators remarked on the variety of influences they detected in their grooves. References to the obvious scouse rock lineage - The Coral, Shack, The La's, The Beatles - abounded of course, alongside mentions for Stax Records, Johnny Cash, Dire Straits, The Kinks, The Beta Band and others. The group's own press release offered even more (Talking Heads, Devo, Dr John, Sly Stone, Madness) and their debut album certainly covers a lot of ground. Highlights include opening track, 'Zuton Fever', a brash, self-referential mix of guitar diddles and sax honks; Pressure Point (which featured in a Levi's commercial), a playful and slightly deranged romp packed with cowbell, handclaps and seasoned with disco sauce; the plaintive strings and twang of 'Not A Lot To Do'; and the jangly 'Havana Gang Brawl', with it's urgent "Where will you sleep tonight?" enquiry. An impressive start from a band with dynamic songwriting and a penchant for wry, inventive throwdowns