Daybreak @ Capitol

Daybreak's influences are audible: Martin Timony's vocals are reminiscent of Michael Stipe, and their melancholic melodies recall REM before they became megastars. The eloquent undertow of Paul Timony's bass runs and a chiming lead guitar lend the band a folky grace. The keyboards round out the picture: their sound is warm, the musicianship discreet and the songs shy away from grand gestures or bombast. They seem unwilling to chase the big chorus or startling riff, relying on a subtler charm. They balance on the line between twee and macho, never falling over into either but, equally, never really finding a distinctive voice. Their ensemble playing gives Martin's slight voice plenty of space without leaving the songs sounding sparse. Perhaps hooking into a more straightforward set of riffs would make them more immediately memorable, but the patient listener will detect the seeds of something greater in their unassuming numbers. [Gareth K Vile]