The latest from superb new Leeds label Dance To The Radio (already responsible for the likes of Forward Russia!, I Love Poland and This Et Al) introduces us to THE LODGER: a well-groomed trio on the surface who look like they'd pay their rent in advance and feed the cat for the landlord when he's on holiday judging by their group shots, but sound like they might actually surreptitiously sell the property in his absence. Or at least sub-let the garage space.
Because "Many Thanks For Your Honest Opinion" is patently old skool indie, but old skool indie with enough intrigue to drag you into its' twisted world. It's the sound of tetchy guitars, singer/ 6-stringer Ben and bassist/ singer Lisa struggling to keep up a frantic duet and drummer Bruce (no surnames here, pet) flinging rolls around like he's got ants in his pants. Lyrically, it's superior too. Its' opening gambit is: "Gimme a future that looks really bleak" and it's all wonderfully downhill - taking in sarcasm, revenge, betrayal - all the way.
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Continuing to take in the additional tracks proves rewarding too. "Unsatisfied" is slower and swirly, and finds Ben's urges nigh-on uncontrollable (sample lyric: "What are you wearing? I'm almost past caring"), while he comes back after a cold shower and a lie down for the closing "Let's Make A Pact" armed with only his electric guitar for company, He still bashes out riffs like Billy Bragg, though, and proceeds to summon a lovelorn beauty with this one, even when he leaves Lisa and Bruce down the pub.
The Lodger, then, are creative freeloaders I'm sure we'll be hearing more from. Play us a couple of free gigs in the back garden and maybe we'll forgo the rent for the next month while you promote this, eh?
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