Released on 02/02/2004
Label: Deltasonic

As is the dragged-through-the-history-of-rock-backward Scouse way of late, The Zutons are probably not a band to judge from one single (or one single fashion crime, either). Still, you could do worse than start with 'Pressure Point', which carries off the impressive feat of sounding simultaneously edgily intense and as mischievously offhand as a barrel full of bug-eyed monkeys.

And fairly hard to categorise into the bargain. There's a point at which the weird British Invasion R&B/garagey vibe threatens Eric Burdonisms. There's a half-second you think of Jon Spencer's blooz ambitions. And another where David Byrne's off-kilter robo-funkification looms up. Still more moments where the ooh-oohs suggest the oddest Temptations tribute act this side of any river. And then, before you've sorted out the weirdly more-ish taste (and lumpy bits) in your mouth and forgiven the sax leering in the background, it's over.

God only knows what comes next in Zuton world. If that's not the mark of a great single, it's certainly a calling card to listen up.

    by Jennifer Nine