Tilly and the Wall are a band with one of the best gimmicks going. Amazingly though, their gimmick actually contributes to the sound of the band. For the uninitiated, instead of having a regular drummer who skulks about at the back of the stage, Tilly and the Wall have a tap dancer front and centre who clippity clops and step-ball-changes her way through their songs, sort of like a human metronome.

As a result their sound is often a little sparse, and vocals led, but nonetheless rather charming and cutesy. O sees the band delving a bit further into the world of plugged in instruments, as electric guitars and some extra drums are added. Album opener 'Tall Tall Grass' declares: "Oh I stumbled into deep love with your rock and roll", (a theme picked up again in 'I Found You'), and after lulling us into a false sense of acoustic-security they slip in a bit of distortion laden guitar, hinting at what’s to come.

'Pot Kettle Black' can only be described as a stomper ”“ an early White Stripes track with some shouty girl vocals over the top. It’s heavy percussive stomp (percussive tap?) plus a ridiculously simple but addictive riff gives it it’s swagger, and the few seconds of silence just before the final chorus that sounds like the end makes you all the more grateful when it starts back up again.

Tilly and the Wall will certainly bring a smile to grumpy faces. This is happy music made by happy people, with enough edge, interest, and array of instruments (castanets, anyone?) to stop it becoming too sickly ”“ they’re a bit like Tangfastics. And just remember”¦ they’ve got a ruddy tap dancer! 71%

Tilly and the Wall on MySpace