Private Jackson - 'EP'

Edinburgh's Private Jackson open their indie-punk offensive with this interesting effort. As the name would suggest, there is a political edge to their work, yet musically, the focus seems slightly blurred. It is easy to infer Pavement and Sonic Youth, yet the lyrics are absent of the ambivalent avant-garde bullshitting of the American cardigan rockers. This wouldn't matter if the band could harness the passion and simplicity of The Clash or the Stiff Little Fingers, but they are held back from this by a lack of catchy riffage and vocals clouded by indie fuzz. There are fleeting moments of energy and abandon, such as on Abattoir Love, yet it I was left with the feeling that I'd heard this done better before. [Caroline Hurley]