Captain Wilberforce - Everyone Loves a Villain

Straight outta Leeds, Captain Wilberforce makes pop that Radio 2 could comfortably slot into their Saturday afternoon playlist without much of an outcry. His Elliot Smith-esque vocals dance pleasantly over songs that cherry pick influences from the past 40 years of music.

This results in variety swinging between the plagiaristic and the gratifying. In the pleasant camp, Confetti, Champagne and Roses has the sundancing relaxation of a Crowded House number with a twist of originality. But then there's the jaunty upbeat rhythms of Born Again Brand New Man, which require a footnote thanking Squeeze for the riffs. Not to mention Get A Grip My Dear, which just pips Paul Smith of Maximo Park to the post for most ridiculous word in a song with “perfidious”.

Though such meandering music will appeal to those who like a good cup of tea with their feet up and Terry Wogan’s dulcet tones in the background, Captain Wilberforce's music is unlikely to soundtrack any other scenario. [Gordon Bruce]