Yahoo! Music Review

Released on 25/06/07
Label: End Of The Road

There are times, especially when faced with the unrelenting drudgery of The Kooks, The Killers et al on the BBC's spectacularly myopic Glastonbury coverage, that 2007 feels like the most depressing year for music ever. But there are others - dancing to the glorious "I Am John" by Loney Dear; cheering on Cats On Fire as they reinvent The Smiths; discovering The Young Republic - when it feels like it couldn't possibly get any better.

An eight strong collective of cultured, sensitive types from Boston and the first signings to End Of The Road Festival's new label, The Young Republic look set to send indie-pop hearts a-fluttering with their peerless marriage of Lloyd Cole, Belle & Sebastian and Saturday Looks Good To Me. "Girl From The Northern States" swells and soars like an old favourite, with singer Bob sighing "Don't go for coffee in art-houses", like he's just invented the art of the arch putdown, while the rest of the band don't put a foot wrong in their pursuit of tasteful, orchestral brilliance. Time to fall in love all over again. It is a good year!

    by Ian Watson