Album Review: No Escape For the King - 13 Fjords

This writer has been rather addicted to that SongPop game of late - a turn based 'name that tune' diversion that sates the addictions of even the most passive of music junkies. One favourite category in that game (Post Punk) has provoked my exploration of Suicide, Wire and Magazine offering many rewards. A comfortable new addition to the playlist would be Melbourne immigrant four-piece, No Escape For the King, whose indie-darkness sounds remarkably accomplished for a first stab.

Comprising of members originally from Ireland and South Africa, seasoned with a long history of bands that haven't yet given them their moment in the spotlight, and with Englishman Matt D Cheetham on vocals, there is a palpable miserablist energy that evokes discovering early Interpol. Cheetham has been knocking around with various bands before settling in Australia which means from the simply stunning opener In My Bones (Again), he wastes no time finding his voice. His wibbling throatiness lends fragility to Kamikaze and almost theatrical introversion to Frostbite. The production (courtesy of upcoming Japanese knob-twiddler Nao Anzai) is neither too clean nor rough giving these nine songs a frisson of excitement to see the band live on the Aussie pub-rock circuit. As good as these songs are, you know they're going to sound much better in the raw.

The keyboard-string section in Apart will connect with those who loved Ash's tenderer moments, then there's an intensity in the fabulously named Stuttgart-Upon-Thames (soon to be a double A-side single) and new-wave edginess in British Angel Of Icebergs. Whilst the cover artwork appears commissioned by a year 12 art-student (sorry, year 12s - you have lots of potential!) it belies the electrifying content.