The Panic Attract EP was actually a nice change from much of the crap I get to review. All in all its a fairly strong five-track EP, with a generally laid-back feel. The varied instrumentation works very well (there're a few synths in there, and what sounds like an oboe on 'Lucan') - nothing feels like it's in the song with no reason - and the band know when not to throw in some extra instruments. 'Weather Systems' and 'Free For All' are the stand-out tracks.

The EP left me revived and refreshed and I hope this is indicative of things to come. It wasn't, of course, perfect at all; one or two of the songs were a little weak, but at least it wasn't thrashing-guitar-chords-and-singing-in-your-accent bollocks.

One single complaint, however, 'Weather Systems' is already the name of a (far superior) Andrew Bird song and album.

       Listen to Panic Attract on their Myspace Page.

Robbie Hayward