The Dials @ Whistlebinkies

After high profile support slots in 2006 with the likes of the Subways and the ubiquitous Fratellis, the Dials are brought back down to earth with a bread n' butter gig on a rainy Friday night in Binkies. But even frontman Joe's sore throat and a slightly muted and half disinterested crowd can't stop the lads from pulling out another solid performance, with 'Ding Ding' ringing all the right bells and 'No Turning Back' in particular showing off a songwriting maturity that belies their tender years. The fact that the Dials fall on the more alternative rock side of indie has led some critics to believe that they don't have the right 'sound' for 2007, but on tonight's evidence it's this very difference, along with the obvious quality of their tunes, which could hold the key to future successes. [Barry Jackson]