The British are coming….again! These five spry lads, led by singer / songwriter Mike Rosenberg, are on the rise in the UK, having opened for Kate Nash, Hold Steady, and Newton Faulkner. However, if the stars align properly, they should easily pass these headliners with Wicked Man's Rest - a collection of pop songs with lyrical depth, buoyant rhythms, and a youthful exuberance. The only element that takes a bit of getting used to is Rosenberg's nasal timbre - though his phrasing is eerily similar to David Gray - which is a fine way to sell millions of records. The band melds electronica and pop with deft accuracy (think Beth Orton in her heyday) and tempers the songs20with orchestral arrangements that avoid being sappy. "Night Vision Binoculars" rekindles a beat that has been responsible for at least one monster hit in the 70s, 80s, and 90s - yet Rosenberg's sincerity makes it fresh again. Feeling older that his years, Rosenberg's wistful busk on "Table for One" is the stuff of Sir Paul's "Yesterday." Highly recommended for fans of Travis, Thom Yorke, and Coldplay.
--Tom Semioli [August 6, 2008]
