Conner - Hello Graphic Missile

Although hailing from the Midwest, we are definitely not in Kansas anymore; Conner sound as British as Barbara Windsor. Making mention of Fugazi as an influence is baffling as Conner should surely be targeting fans of Hard Fi, Bloc Party and others in the current slew of uninspired Anglo guitar drivel. The plodding, barely serviceable bass and only-as-audible-as-necessary drums do nothing but prop up some grating riffs and whining pan-atlantic vocals. Slipping in and out of slightly ska driven moments, what attempts to be catchy is just headache inducing. This current wash of poppy riffs, with just enough distortion to garner the label 'garage', seems to have lost momentum and now comes the detritus of the top ten tornado. Surely it's time to put 'em all back in the garage, get some petrol, a match and fashion a taper out of the mags who inexplicably make them massive. [Caroline Hurley]