12

Everyone a winner

In case you hadn't noticed, here at R13 Towers we've been banging on about McQueen for the last couple of years. This Brighton based female quartet are one of the most exciting bands we've seen in a long time and two excellent singles coupled with a host of impressive live shows convinced us early on that they were onto something special. There's always the danger though, that after such a promising start the album won't quite hit the mark, the production will be wrong or there will be too many fillers, you know how it goes. So naturally I was slightly nervous on the first play but it took all of ten seconds to allay any fears!

Opener 'Neurotic' is a real statement of intent, there's no easing the listener in gently here, it's fast, big, loud and in your face with Leah's gritty vocals really taking centre stage. Another previously unheard track 'Dirt' takes a different tack but what's perfectly clear already is that this album has more hooks than a tackle shop! Followed by the ridiculously catchy single 'Running Out Of Things To Say' it makes for a very impressive opening salvo. Just when most bands would probably throw in a ballad or something a little lighter, McQueen do just the opposite and deliver their most vehement, venom spitting anthem in title track 'Break The Silence'. This really is Leah's piste de resistance and if you've seen them live you'll know just how good this track is, it's a real set stealer and shows that McQueen have a real hard edge to them as well as the ability to nail a great chorus. Much of their appeal lies in that - they are heavy enough to capture metal fans (as their recent support slot on the WASP tour proved) but they have a punk edge too and their ear for melody is sure to give them wider appeal.

'Numb' and 'Line Went Dead' both feature yet more great choruses and you're guaranteed to find yourself singing along on the first listen, a sure sign of a great song. There is variety in tempo however, 'Blinded' slows it down in the verse before delivering, dare I say it, yet another big chorus and that's really what makes this work so well as an album, every track could be a single. 'Bitch' is lighter in the verse with a wicked lead into the chorus coupled with scything lyrics, all of which precede 'Not for Sale', McQueen's own take on feminism in which guitarist Cat firmly stamps her mark with a solid solo.

The song structures are relatively uncomplicated but the quality of musicianship is high and the whole album is unbelievably catchy. At just over half an hour in length it's a real short, sharp blast and as soon as album closer 'Don't Know How To Break It To You' finishes you can't help but hit the replay button. One of the perils of releasing an album in January is that people have forgotten about it when it comes round to nominating album of the year. McQueen shouldn't have to worry though, 'Break The Silence' is a pretty stunning debut and if this doesn't give them the major breakthrough they deserve then the world is deaf!