CD Times Single of the Week - December 06

The Nightjars are from Manchester but their musical heritage is altogether more American. Rather than half-assed dancey indie crossover rock, we're in, say, 4AD or early Creation territory here. Ride's 'Chelsea Girl' comes to mind. The Nightjars are THAT good. The way in which they combine glittering guitar and synchopated rhythmn suggests an agenda that reaches further than some el cheapo descending chord sequence riffola.

Vocalist Ollie Wright is alarmingly characterful and tuneful with just enough J Mascis enniu. The drumming, it must be said, is inordinately drilled; busy enough to put me in mind of David Narcizo and driving the lovely, daring tempo changes on b-side 'Disabuse'. More fleet-of-foot than a mountain of your Snow Patrols, The Nightjars sound hugely ambitious and capable. I play these two tracks over and over again.

Listen, the supposed indie underground has swallowed the mainstream. The bestselling album in the UK this year is by the indie Texas. The walls are going up and we're standing by like the NME's desperate serfs. Do yourself a favour, tip the balance OUR way and look up this sensational band. They sound like they've come for us. They sound like they're waiting for you.

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