Dave Simpson 

The 747s, Zampano

(Ark)
  
  

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The Dublin-based 747s were courting controversy long before the release of this debut album: busking outside HMV, dispensing CDs to drinkers at 1am and even being arrested on an Italian jet for boarding with the petrol generator they use at gigs. So it's no surprise they have been adopted by fellow scallywags Arctic Monkeys, who have have found time in their crammed schedule for a duet on their last single. The Monkeys' influence features on effervescent guitar tunes such as Night and Day, but elsewhere the band try other off-the-peg styles (the Kinks, music hall) for fit. There's more originality in the way vocalist Oison Leech fuses cheery melodies with unexpectedly wistful words involving break-ups. The boozy, piano-led Miles Away, sunset-gazing Missed That Sun and evocative blue wop of Goodbye for a While are unusually good blends of happy-sad - a formula they should explore further.

 

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