I hate having to review really young bands because often, like The Crooks, they may well have the best intentions at heart but they simply don’t match up to where they need to be. So whilst offering as much constructive criticism as possible, it’s often difficult not to come across as scathing too. This four-tracker is better than what most 16-year-olds come up with and I doubt there are too many better bands in Matlock. But at the same time this EP wreeks of youthful inexperience; the playing is a little sloppy, the song structures basic and the lyrics are a little obvious. But then I guess that’s to be expected from such young kids.
They claim to be influenced by Bloc Party and Radiohead, but there’s more of a Strokes/pop-punk influence here than anything life-changing. All four songs are of a half-decent standard so I couldn’t write these guys off, but at the same time there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Lead vocalist George Moran needs to develop his vocals a bit – rather than just singing he really needs to mean it. Putting power and passion in his voice will help get the message across and at the minute I don’t believe his message when he sings. The guitars are a little weak in the mix and I’m not too keen on the whatever pedal is being used, it’s a little too clean for this type of music really.
All of these points do come down to inexperience rather than anything more sinister and if The Crooks intend to forge a career in the ‘industry’ they need to keep playing and keep practising. Practice really does make perfect, as any band will tell you, and this will stand them in good stead in the future. As they get older and wiser as musicians their sound will develop and they could make an interesting prospect. Until then, however, they’re just an average local band having fun – and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it doesn’t want to make me stop what I’m doing and listen to this record.
Paul