New Found Sound @ Cabaret Voltaire

As unsigned band nights go, New Found Sound normally gets the juices flowing. Unfortunately, tonight has thrown together a lacklustre bunch who struggle to achieve any such feat.

It's pretty safe and uneventful fare all round, kicking off early doors with The Scottish Enlightenment (2/5). Wearing their early 90s American indie influences like shiny badges on an emo kid's jacket, the evidence of this performance sees them bereft of any imaginative song writing. A step away from playing Smashing Pumpkins covers might not quite be the best foot forward.

Next up, The Debuts (2/5) could do a lot worse than to retreat to the bunker and work out exactly how they want to sound. Souring the mix somewhat, their guitars and frontman head off in the direction of lager rock, though they nevertheless lace the set with keyboards which wouldn't be out of place on a Pink Floyd tribute. Focused on one sound, the potential is there for real progression to be made, but the middle ground tonight is a no man's land.

Admittedly, closing act Callel (3/5) do pick up the proverbial best 'til last mantle with their acoustic flavoured indie pop, although whether they are worth the trip alone remains questionable. While the outfit are capable of pulling out a tune that raises the levels of excitement a few notches clear of average, there's just too many gaps in between. Giving glimpses that they merit further inspection; if they cork these gaps they could yet prove to demand it. [Garry Thomson]