Oh no! Le Reno Amps have been kidnapped and they’re being forced to point guns at each other and they’re all tied up and stuff in the forest! QUICK! Call the bloody cops, moron. No, I don’t think we’ve not got time to listen to a CD. What? It’s only 35 minutes? Well I suppose they could wait just a little bit longer.This Scottish quartet’s release is supported by the Scottish Arts Council, and has been recorded with producer Andy Miller (who works for Chemikal Underground’s recording studio). With all these delightful credentials firmly in place, how does their debut album Tear It Open sound?Well, it’s a confusing affair. ‘Outlaws’ is a galloping, pyschobilly number comprised of distorted guitars and anarchic intentions and is immediately followed by the Johnny Cash inspired ‘If You Want A Lover’. Featuring a train-like shuffle, the band manage to hold on to their country leanings all the way up to track three, ‘Going Under’. But, on arrival, they derail and deliver a large slice of lemon-meringue sweet power pop. Like I said, it’s confusing stuff.Until, that is, you reach ‘The Stand Off’, which seems to positively revel in its dodgy vocal harmonies, obtuse lyrics and bizarre electronic interlude which serves to expose Le Reno Amps as ‘a great live band’ with lots of energy and little content. With vocal inefficiencies continuing through the uninspiring ‘Body’ - musically, the band are tight and proficient, as the changes on the bright punk-pop of ‘Slow Decay’ shows.The most interesting and exciting song on Tear It Open is ‘Dangerous Boy’ which combines the infamous Mersey-inspired skank with some delicious off-key guitar noodlings. If only the band had the bravery to stick to this more convincing and suitable style, it would have made for a far more cohesive and interesting record.With some awful power-pop and great punk made by the same band on the same record, this is an unusual album: one that defies explanation. Maybe they were all drunk; maybe they don’t know who or what they want to be; maybe they’re all schizophrenic and the Scottish Arts Council thought they’d fund this project to meet their sinister mental health targets for 2009.Whatever the reason, if they don’t work harder at controlling their urge to please everybody, the goodness of the band is going to be consumed by the shit that’s floating around in the same tank. With a firmer steer, the band could really grow to reach their twisted potential.What? Go where? Don’t be stupid. They’ve got guns, you fool. 60%Le Reno Amps on MySpace