9

Its a right Kerfuffle with Ladyfuzz

Ladyfuzz seem as though a crack team of marketers created them in an attempt to swindle the kids from their hard earned cash, such is the clinical ness of who and what the band is. With an Austrian lead singer bringing the effortless cold beauty of vocals akin to Nico, the new-wave and post-punk influences, a Little Britain-esque title and the clashing styles of the band members, it may appear to be "ticking all the boxes."

With a rhythm throughout the record that will constantly get your shoulders moving and your shoes sliding on the dance floor, there is a modern cool vibe to the album and opener 'Hold Up' is a breezy start that fizzles with a glorious chorus. Vocal preferences are in the ear of the beholder but this reviewer has always been a sucker for a clear female voice and Liz Neumayr delivers this effortlessly in a way that indicates that she cant be bothered but deep down is really passionate about the whole thing.

Her fellow band members at times seems sparse and resolutely in her shadow with 'Staple Gun' consisting of mainly vocals and what seems like a jug-band backing but it's the sparse yet strict time-keeping that keeps the band in shape and allows Neumayr the platform to weave over. 'The Man With The Monochrome View' is far more representative of all the band members with an off-kilter duo vocal chorus jostling with a calm, whistled verse. With a military drum beat seeing the song home, it's a slow burner song that didn't grab attention on the first listen but after a few plays was standing out as a greatly likeable track.

Not limited to the standard instruments, there are some weird sounds kicking about on 'Kerfuffle', most notably on 'Theres A Woman In Studio One' which adds to the kooky and inventiveness of all the tracks, creating a looser feel and distancing the act from the regular line-up.

Debut single 'Oh Marie' simmers and it's obvious why it was picked as the bands entry to the world. With the backing vocals clamouring over short sharp drums and a new-wave bass line quietly playing in the background, it's a sound that has been done often before and even though Ladyfuzz perform it well, it may not be enough to win over fans considering the amount of acts offering a similar fare.

Its not to say they are doing anything wrong, and Ladyfuzz have some tricks up their sleeve that many of their peers couldn't rival but the album doesn't have the feel or collectiveness that will keep dragging the listener back to it.