The Second Hand Marching Band - A Dance To Half Death EP

Considering their vast ranks include members of Danananaykroyd, How To Swim, Eagleowl, Q Without U, The Just Joans and a dozen or so others, The Second Hand Marching Band may regret limiting their debut EP to a hundred copies. Partly because that’s barely enough to supply a disc to each of the band’s considerable membership, let alone intrigued punters, but also because they’re far too good to be coveted only by five-score fans. Intertwining sounds bubble up and fade through each of the six tracks, producing an unsettlingly amorphous blend rich with harmonising vocals, interlaced refrains and snatches of ukulele, accordion, melodica and plenty more besides. Slotting nicely into Scotland’s blossoming alt-folk scene, they won’t outnumber their audience for long. [Chris Buckle]