Silvermash @ Bannermans

Shoegazing indie-grungers from Fife? Yep, that'd be Silvermash, whose appearance at Bannermans draws a sizeable crowd on a sultry Thursday evening. The six guys are nothing if not earnest, drawing more atmospheric soundscapes than your average indie rockers, primarily through the use of violin and electronic organ.

While the sounds hint at great things - the swelling melancholia of Elbow or Low, the witty ruefulness of Joy Division, or cynical pop-rock of 'Holy-Bible' era Manics even - the end result tends to sway in the direction of honest, emotive rock, a la Biffy Clyro et al. Not always a bad thing, but it could do with being a lot more inventive if it is to properly tug at the heart strings in the way it sets out to. Pieces such as The Days are Passing and Weakened Souls hint at genuine songwriting ability, but sometimes it felt as though the guitar was changed more often than the meter. [Wilbur Kane]