My relationship with Rosie and The Goldbug can be traced back to deepest depths of the Cornish countryside, where vocalist Rosie Vanier began attracting attention whilst playing in her previous band Powderstrip. It was at this time that Rosie's self-penned track ‘Butterfly' emerged as the beautiful, angry and bitter melody that it is. Building on this punchy avant-garde sound, Rosie and The Goldbug was formed with drummer Sarah Morgan (aka Plums) and bassist Lee Matthews (aka Pixie) early in 2007. Having supported Cyndi Lauper on her European Tour last month this trio from Cornwall are quickly proving their worth. Together they have created a fusion of heartfelt punk and piano-led melodies inspired by the likes of Kate Bush, Debbie Harry and Lauper herself.

Rosie and The Goldbug's fusion of techno and keyboard-enhanced indie runs throughout War of the Roses but is most evocative in their poignant single ‘Lover.' Rosie's wispy, yet raggedly powerful vocals are unfortunately somewhat lost in their translation from live performances to the record, but the soft sensibility of her voice still combines with the catchy hook of the heavily pounded ivory keys to create an uplifting, yet melancholic and nostalgic sound.

In songs such as ‘War of the Roses' the cracks and wails in Rosie's voice betray her eccentricity. But then you would be eccentric too if you had a gregarious mum and a part-Native American space-cadet dad who both used to travel around Europe entertaining passers-by with folk ballads. You might also be a tad eccentric if you were brought up on Bodmin Moor on a plot of land with no electricity, no heat, no TV: just a piano.

However, despite Rosie's eccentric personality and behaviour on stage, the record lacks some of this exciting quirkiness, as ‘Heartbreak' is a rather conventional electro-pop number overcrowded with synthesisers. It just seems that Rosie and The Goldbug are not as edgy as they would initially have you believe, or as I initially expected. ‘Heartbreak' is not a particularly original song, but its still a good pop number akin to Ladyhawkes disco sound, as the synths and drums form a hypnotising back and forth wave supported by Rosie's soft, seductive voice.

War of the Roses is a varied album that ranges from straightforward electro pop, to more sensitive, powerful, elegant and sincere numbers such as ‘Springtime Dreaming.' In keeping with these different sounds Rosie's voice moves from haunting whispers to pain filled cries. Musically speaking the album is packed full of emotive, energetic, delicate and sometimes quirky rhythms but the lyrical content leaves much to be desired. The poor lyrics, on tracks such as ‘You've Changed' unfortunately have the effect of highlighting the compromised, slightly tame sound on what could otherwise have been an incredible EP. Once Rosie and her Goldbug's realise that their rough edges and quirkiness are what make them stand out, perhaps they will push themselves onto to even greater things.
64%

Rosie and The Goldbug on MySpace