Ardentjohn - On The Wire

The partnership at the heart of Ardentjohn stretches back to a playground scrap between singer Keiron Mason and bassist Al Shields on the Isle of Bute. Reunited in Edinburgh and expanded to a six-piece, their pluck appears to have dissipated along with the hostilities, with soporific balladry the order of the day. While ‘pleasant’ isn’t a particularly inspiring adjective, it fits: On The Wire soothes and relaxes, but its soft strings and jangling guitars are unlikely to stir anything more invigorating. Its eleven tracks mumble by on the low-down, but are pleasing enough that the prospect of another spin is never a chore. It leaves feathers unruffled and deposits little residue in the mind, but compensates with a breezy disposition and an assured sense of melody. Is that enough to sustain interest long-term? Possibly not, but this is an accomplished full-length debut that’ll keep those lazy Sundays ticking over nicely. [Chris Buckle]