Released: 17th September 2007

In this digital age, it has been an age since I listened to an album in order from start to finish, so here goes:

Scouting For Girls with their self-titled album, Scouting For Girls.

1. Keep On Walking

Instantly evoking the vocal stylings of bands such as Ordinary Boys, Maximo Park, The View and The Upper Room, this breezy tune catches the ear but proves overly repetitive towards the end.

2. She’s So Lovely

Next up the stilted, clappy, radio-friendly, sing-along She’s So Lovely, which proved an obvious candidate for release as a single with its rousing chorus.

3. It’s Not About You

Time to slow things down with It’s Not About You, a song that offers little other than a change of pace and it is at this point that worries arise as to whether all the tracks will sound the same.

4. The Airplane Song

The Airplane Song allays these worries, with a different, more mature tone in the vocals and rich piano playing. Perhaps a minute too long, but a step up from the last track.

5. Heartbeat

Heartbeat combines the styles introduced in Tracks 1 to 3 with those of Track 4 well, although the song does sound oddly dated and was sadly not about the popular Sunday evening drama as I expected following having heard the pop culture referencing B-Side to She’s So Lovely entitled Murder Mystery.

6. Elvis Ain’t Dead

Elvis Ain’t Dead similarly lacks the some of the humour its title implies and again does not break new grounds musically, despite the catchy repetition of the line “Elvis isn’t dead / ’Cos I heard him on the radio”.

7. I’m Not Over You

I’m Not Over You opens as an obvious trying to be ‘worthy’ song, but livens up quickly. However, lead singer Roy Stride’s talkier moments sit uncomfortably almost as though he is struggling to get the words out in time.

8. I Need A Holiday

I Need A Holiday starts promisingly, but is soon spoiled by an American teen band-style echoing of certain lines. Shame, it’s a good song otherwise.

9. The Mountains of Navaho

The Mountains of Navaho is an energetic affair, with lyrics to please He-Man fans.

10. James Bond

James Bond delivers everything the title promises. A tribute to the eponymous spy and the actors who have portrayed him on film, the lyrics are light-hearted and fan-pleasingly well observed.

11. Michaela Strachan

Similarly, Michaela Strachan is a joy for anyone who grew up on 80s and 90s children’s TV, for me evoking memories of The Really Wild Show, (which sadly was axed in 2006 leaving Michaela faced with the grim prospect of adult programmes such as Countryfile), although the lyrics refer to her Wacaday days, (which I don’t remember her from despite having watched it back in the day).

Overall

So, all in all a fun listen. Nothing to write home about, but signs of potential. Thankfully, they limit their comedy – it would become tiresome if all their songs were slanted that way, too much of a good thing and all that. If they could raise all of their straight songs up to the level of their comic songs then they certainly have a future.