Electrelane - No Shouts, No Calls

Electrelane are one of the most consistently exciting bands around. Having recently supported 'best band in the world' Arcade Fire on tour (until Butler's voice packed in), their driven, ambient sound is able to hold ground in big venues. The pounding drum of founder member Emma Gaze is resonant and irresistibly tribal, giving a deep human quality to the band's intense but ethereal tunes. In the outstanding Mia Clarke, Electrelane have a guitarist to rival Kevin Shields as the indie sound-scaper of a generation. It's a surprising shame, then, that the effortlessly feminine ferocity of their live shows doesn't come across to full effect on No Shouts, No Calls, the band's fourth album. Single, To The East and opener The Greater Times show a confident development towards a melodic pop sound, and are excellent. The rest, apart from the simply beautiful Saturday, lack the expected effect of a leading band at their best. [RJ Thomson]