Apparently not so much a welcome to romance, but rather a familiar greeting at the Rovers Return, Hello Love is a generally chirpy new release from this Cambridge/London outfit, who continue their prolific release schedule despite retaining 9 to 5 jobs. And the good news is I can’t detect any sign of talent being spread too thin either. Having carved out a niche for themselves with a country/Americana infused approach, the last couple of albums have seen a switch to indie pop, with only a nod to their original inspiration in a lilting acoustic intro (Give And Take) or the overall open, light, sunny guitar sound. Think a bit of upbeat Supergrass at their best, a bit of Rubber Soul simplicity, a bit of Chutes Too Narrow Shins – including some similarities in Steve Adams strangled delivery at their more raucous moments.

Leaps is a bouncy opener, while the rawer Love Your Man Love Your Woman could feel at home nestling on side 3 of the White Album (yes, I did own that just before CDs arrived). There is a breezy return with So Many Lovers and Julian, both, like several others, lifted by breathy female backing vocals (damn – they know my weak spot). A more rollicking middle section follows. Changes of pace, a Tijuana brass flourish here, a Snow Patrol wall of guitar finale there (Hey Captain!). Such variations keep the interest up whilst not fracturing the overall feel of the album. Lyrics are conversational and almost exclusively deal with relationships – no startling imagery, but neither are they so simplistic as to grate or interfere. I can’t report any hooks having wormed their way into my skull, but that also makes each listen fresh. You Get Me comes closest, a sweet and gentle song that could be a dreamy summer radio hit were it not for the dropping of the F-word. Only with Little Justice do things dip a touch for me, but it’s rare indeed for me to find an album that I can spin repeatedly in full. The album closes energetically as Seven Sisters morphs from a country blues strum to a driving thrash.

And now for the percentage thing. Bonus points for mentioning Eddi Reader and The National in the sleeve note ’Thank you’ list, and for having just one friend on MySpace when I looked (and he’s some kind of admin guy who comes for free). That’s what I call going against the trend. Recommended for every camper van doing the festivals this summer. Me, I’m quite taken with it. Careful lads, at this rate you might have to give up your day jobs.
72%

Links
The Broken Family Band [official site] [myspace]