9

Out of the Ordinary.

It hardly seems a day since The Ordinary Boys first album, 'Over The Counter Culture' was plastered all over the press, and more importantly, the charts, but their second album 'Brassbound' already looks set to receive similar acclaim.

Title track 'Brassbound' has an easy-go-lucky ska beat that saunters along, while a cheeky guitar solo adds a little variety to this funky tune, with added brass to justify the title. Single, 'Boys Will Be Boys' has a very crazy Madness type feel, and is a big syncopated, crowd-pleasing dance tune with its emphatic chorus, there's even a snatch of pure reggae rap, which just makes it all the more charming.

'Life Will Be The Death Of Me' takes a more punk route, which satiates my tastebuds a little better than the ska direction; it's very Clash, although slightly repetitive. There's nothing more punk than complaining about the world, and this track certainly does that with the lyrics, "life will be the death of me/ sitting between four walls,'" bombarding you over and over again. 'Thanks To The Girl' has a similar feel, and is perhaps inappropriately placed in this respect, but it's still an upbeat, well-produced track.

'On An Island' definitely has the kind of laidback tropical feel with the vocals almost calypso style and cute twinkling keyboards matched with offbeat guitar chords. Tight drumming from new drummer, Simon Goldring is very noticeable too, and makes sure that the whole ska rhythm is carried off successfully.

'Don't Live Too Fast' has a taste of The Specials in its squealing keyboards and tense verse, while 'A Call To Arms' begins with rhythmic raw guitar riffs and is a tribute to the band's ever-growing fan base. 'A Few Home Truths' has some more rock, pacey drumming and is an edgy, more nervous tune than the rest of the album; it's a good sound a welcome break from the constant upbeat riffs. This and 'Red Letter Day' are my favourite tracks, with the latter having a more sorrowful tone, Sam Preston's voice suddenly full of emotion; it still manages to culminate in a memorable and poignant chorus.

Unfortunately the inexorable happiness starts to grate on my nerves after a while; it's a great album is you're ska-inclined, but it may be a little too over the top with a few too many variations on a theme for the casual fan. The Ordinary Boys seem to be a band who're more concerned with having a good time, and producing good music, rather than worrying who'll buy it, and so they should be.