The Empire State

Lancashire-based The Empire State release new EP When You Call full of a new found confidence as a stripped-down band sounding at their most genuine and contemplative. Their MySpace profile includes two songs from this in addition to those tracks which provide some clues to the development - dare we say "journey" - from rabble rousing Britrock to a more delicate, rounded band.

From the EP, "Awake" is looking out for closing film credits to accompany, as six minutes of anguish fall over orchestrated guitars recognisable in most choruses from Hope Of The States' Left. Actually the very first notes gives the impression of a heavier track influenced by Interpol before taking its earnest route. "Awake" does have its issues - the length allows for a neat joining solo and expansion on some lyrical themes but when this is done another return to the chorus means the ending seems overwrought.

The title track is a real smiling assassin, tough lyrics delivered as softly as a love-letter wrapped in barbed wire. One rock'n'roll solo leads into an all out stomp of piano and guitars, working around a simple premise but delivering an intricate and clever song.

By way of further notable mentions, "There Was a Hero", is melodic and sharp from the light-touch guitars to the neatest little chorus this side of church on a Sunday. "I Hear It's Your Birthday" will warm your insides; the bridge "So what if it's raining outside" is so perfectly pitched you will swear blind you've heard its crafted strength before not too far away from a Biffy Clyro acoustic set.

Worryingly it seems people are eager to label as "old fashioned" the concept of a band getting down to the simple pleasures of blues or rock'n'roll guitars, honesty in lyrics, and vocals which don't want to be so irritatingly postmodern. There is more drawn from the lineage than the contemporary but openly and obviously; The Empire State hide nothing, their preference for part-acoustic songs emboldening all that can be made with few ingredients. If it is permitted to indulge in old fashioned puns there seems no chance of the sun setting on this particular Empire.

The Empire State are:

Joe Holden: Vocals, Guitars
Ben Titley: Guitars
Andrew Bamber: Piano & Keyboards
Gareth Woodfield: Percussion and Backing Vocals
Dave Sadler: Bass
Rob Marsden: Drums