It may have been three years since they emerged out of the throng of post-Britpop bands with a gutsy, unfashionable album called Cuts Across The Land. Their dusty, grunge-influenced songs bristled with greatness. Taking their cues from the Pixies and American female rock acts of the 90’s, it was a breath of fresh air during a time when the UK charts were awash with Oasis-aping monkeys.

The Ex-Voto EP is the sound of a band refreshed, recharged and full of ideas that have finally had the chance to crystallise. Recorded out at the Joshua Tree, all four songs have a wide, expansive feel to them. Bursting to life with the outstanding “Lassoo”, it’s obvious that the time spent touring with the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s has helped develop their sound. The production is more focused whilst the guitars sound urgent, driving and perfectly complimenting Liela’s breathy and aggressive vocals. “Dog Roses” is full of Western promise, a soundtrack to a long lost Sergio Leone film; you can imagine Clint Eastwood strolling purposefully through a dusty, ramshackle town with this echoing his every move.

“A Wild Hope” might begin with some of the most off the wall lyrics I’ve heard for a while “I wish I tasted like a buttered angel“, but its chugging guitars and piercing vocals are reminiscent of Howling Bells, who’ve stolen The Duke Spirits thunder whilst they’ve been away. “Masca” finishes the painfully short EP. It broods and seethes under Leila’s sultry vocals, the killer line “I’ll bet anything for gold” echoing around the gently building guitars and marching drums that build an air of menace which titillates and tantalises but just falls short of reaching the cusp of something great.

This EP just wets the appetite for their new album which is set for release early next year. The question is, now that they’ve raised the bar to this height, can they maintain it?
79%

Look out for an interview with the band later on today…

Links
The Duke Spirit [official site] [myspace] [live review] [interview]