THAT a band chooses to name itself after cantankerous Late Review critic Tom Paulin gives you a fair indication of the bookish, eccentric pop on offer.
Lancashire's Tompaulin sit firmly in the indie outsider tradition of Morrissey, Jarvis Cocker and the Beautiful South's Paul Heaton, with wry, spicily melodic songs dwelling on the burning issues of life in a Northern town: why no one will sleep with them, avoiding getting one's head kicked in on a Friday night and the Royston Vasey world of wife-swapping and transvestism they imagine going on behind the net curtains.
With their fey mix of male and female vocals, they also bear a musical resemblance to student bedsit favourites Belle And Sebastian. This album compiles their catalogue of singles and EPs to date, and its best moments, such as Slender and Ballad Of The Bootboys, prove they're no mere soundalikes.
Updated: 09:37 Thursday, August 05, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article