A couple of years ago, Nine Black Alps were notable for coming from Manchester and not specialising in dreamy, slightly atmospheric rock like their fellow Mancunians Doves and Elbow. Instead, this four-piece flat out rocked with ever excitable journalists even drawing comparisons with Nirvana.
They weren't Nirvana of course, but who could be? Instead, debut album Everything Is had the happy knack of sounding utterly terrifying and completely tuneful, all at once. Their live shows were pretty incendiary as well. A couple of years break sees them reappear with Burn Faster, and it's like they've never been away.
On first listen, it's a tad disappointing to tell the truth - that speaker-corruscating guitar riff that enlivened the likes of Shot Down has disappeared, but a few plays reveals the song's magic. It's catchy, hummable even, but there's a constant drone of a guitar chord in the background to keep you a little on edge. And after 5 or 6 listens, you're nigh on gagging to hear the album to see how their sound has evolved. An excellent return from one of the country's most exciting bands.
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