Gum - Seven Feeble Alibis

Ok, so not everyone can dream up a name as good as The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, but Gum? GUM?! What's that supposed to represent? Anyway, following up their 2003 debut, 'Seven Feeble Alibis' is occasionally as bland as the band name suggests but thanks to vocalist Leigh Myles' impressive efforts, it reaches higher levels of excitement. The music, ranging from electronic Zero 7 soundscapes to M.O.R. acoustics - created by songwriter Raymond Weir - is certainly competent but it is also at times too dull and so the vocals stand out and remain in focus. It may very well soon hit the mainstream like an oiled lightning bolt but for a slightly cynical music-lover that requires a bit more depth and originality, Gum is far too easy to resent - forgive me if a shelve them in the easy-listening section alongside Kubb and Keane. [Chris Nordeng]