Released on 27/11/06
Label: Deltasonic

Just in time for the Christmas party season, a song bemoaning/celebrating the curse of a hangover. "I had bits of lungs, shrapnel glass and cigarettes for breakfast," groans singer Dave McCabe, his hearty Scouse singing accent sounding suitably dented. "And my lips are blue, my toes are numb and I think I've got the shivers." A face-off with a ham sandwich soon follows. Needless to say, the devilish sarnie emerges victorious.

Good old Zutons, easily the UK's most likable group. While other "indie" bands worry about their hair/their cool/their trust fund, the gloriously eccentric five-piece get on with effortlessly knocking out their 21st century take on the Mersey sound, and singing about the important things in life - namely, getting hammered and paying for it the next day. You'd have to be a particularly joyless type of indie snob not to wish The Zutons well. More power to them.

    by Ian Watson