The Dogbones – The Dogbones

With a photo on the back sleeve that resembles an identity parade of rock casualties and an accompanying press release that merely declares “just listen to it,” initial preconceptions of a half-arsed glam revival and second hand rock school riffs does little to entice.

But maybe The Dogbones aren’t as daft as they look- in that particular photo anyway – as the opening rumble of The Whole World Is Weird coupled with frontwoman Nomi Leonard’s sweet voice and a wall of guitar goodness raises the brow, and that old nugget: never judge a book by its cover. Wasting no time, the band batter into All Your Friends (Are Going To Kill You) which sees singer Nomi Leonard’s sweet voice transform into a throaty rasp that Royal Trux’s Jennifer Herrema would be proud of.

It’s testament to the versatility of the vocals throughout the album that keep the listener engaged when the band occasionally resort to stock glam riffs and cliché lyrics on the likes of I Want Alcohol or Hey Chihuahua. Not reinventing the wheel then, but certainly worth a spin. [Alan Souter]