Amplifico - See Heart, See Muscle

Right from the off, Donna Maciocia instructs "The comedy stops here, it's time to get serious." In accordance with this warning, there is very little messing about on See Heart, See Muscle. Instead, the Edinburgh-based trio of Maciocia, Kilgour and Brunton have clearly worked long and hard to develop these sharp yet soulful pop tunes. Complete with taut guitar lines, lush piano melodies, and the occasional brass flourish, Amplifico have a well stocked armoury. Like a less melodramatic PJ Harvey, this band are largely concerned with matters of the heart, but there are plenty of lighter sunkissed moments: the raucous Baby Baby and opener Here We Are, for instance, are instant sing-alongs. Filthy is suitably dark and low, with Maciocia's bright vocals contrasted with the fuzz heavy bass, while Dirt Sleaze sees the group effortlessly take on disco rhythms - all without missing a beat. An album full of fun that still packs a punch, See Heart... is a well-refined beast with a bit of everything. [Neal Parsons]