Me And My Friends
Album: Beneath A Level Head
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 8
Website: http://www.meandmyfriends.co.uk

I will admit, seeing a new album from Me And My Friends drop out the envelope brought a smirk to my face. I enjoyed their previous cut immensely and offered the band a slot on the Fatea Showcase Sessions and I'm pleased to say the combo haven't rested on their laurels, but have continued to kick forward.

"Beneath A Level Head" starts with the anything but sensible, and delightfully named, "Penguin Samba", a deliciously anarchic mix of samba rhythms, ska and delightful harmonies, just don't try and workout what it's about, simply enjoy it for what it is.

That's a philosophy that will do you well for the whole album, this is good time party music for the masses, with a sound that if it doesn't actually get you out of your chair and dancing is almost certainly going to get your feet moving, with a better than fifty fifty chance of getting you head nodding as well.

Underlying a palm court orchestra sound is a feeling of the near east, there are some definite Arabic rhythms which connect delightfully with the blown instrumentation and both of which would be at home drawing a snake from its basket and beguiling it into a swaying, but definite soothed and relaxed beast.

One of the more intriguing songs on the album is "Level Head" in which the vocal protagonists proclaim in the chorus, "I'm just the same as any man." The initial reaction it drew in my household was along the lines of "Really, in this post-feminist world you really want to take that step back? I wasn't sure if I should laugh cynically or simply applaud." Similarly I can't work out if there's a tongue in cheek throughout the track. I just resorted back to the first rule for the album, don't try to work it out etc.

"Beneath A Level Head" is not only a great album for the home, it absolutely slays train journeys, though not so sure I'd risk it in the car. Me And My Friends are there to be enjoyed time and again.

Neil King