Leeds' Mush have been one of my favourite British guitar bands of recent years. Along with the West Country's Holiday Ghosts and Brighton's Penelope Isles they indicate that you don't always have to go with The Fall and The Gang of Four as your guiding mentors.
With Mush, the key influences are probably Wire, Television and Pavement primarily. I'm perfectly happy with that as a basic template. Down Tools, is their third album in as many years so they're a pretty prolific bunch and though the record stakes out no particularly new hround for them, it's a set of lively and engaging alternative guitar adventuring.
The sticking point for this band is probably lead singer Dan Hyndman's delivery. It's kind of Stephen Malkmus meets Yogi Bear frankly and as you might imagine, that can lead towards some deeply irritating moments.
Fortunately, it seems that Hyndman can switch the annoying switch on and off at will. There's certainly enough going on here to bring me back to it. Most of all, it's loads of fun. Make sure you see them next time they're playing in a small room near you.
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