Joe Lean & the Jing Jang Jong

Bands with funny sounding names usually only ever descend into a narcissistic shambles, or they work that wee bit harder to prove their mettle. One need only to look at American nu-metal bands (Limp Bizkit eh? Papa Roach, is it?) or celebrity vanity projects (anybody recall Dogstar?) for examples of the former, while a solid group like !!! has the handicap of such an esoteric moniker. Joe Lean and his Jing Jang Jong, whilst sounding nothing like the aforementioned styles or bands, at least gets bonus marks for having the most giggle-inducing title of the year.

Labels aside, the London group’s debut puts in the effort, for the most part. Joe and co. get the party started right with single Lucio Sets Fires, and as long as they keep the tempo up, the shin-dig stays strong. Giving credence to steady rhythms like heroes The Strokes, and Joe himself snarling at times like Joe Strummer, the band keeps a pop influence on its sleeve with the occasional sweet harmony. Unfortunately, the album loses some steam around the midsection, and it takes the stand out Teenagers – featuring a great fuzzed out guitar hook – to get it back on track, with Adelaide coming down on the whole affair as a convincing closer. [Jason Morton]