DELAYS ‘FADED SEASIDE GLAMOUR’ (ROUGH TRADE)

Great things are predicted for Southampton's Delays, and listening to 'Faded Seaside Glamour' it’s no surprise. This is a debut that takes the breath away and leaves a simplistic grin on the face (ok, more so than the usual one). There may be nothing truly new to do with guitar pop but by hitting on a winning formula it can still amaze: write 12 great songs, invent guitar hooks that must have been provided by a passing minor deity, layer on vocal harmonies that wouldn't embarass the Beach Boys but do them in the style of the Cocteau Twins and sing about being young, getting older, and girls. And there you have it.

Opener 'Wanderlust' uses timpani and soaring falsetto harmonies to create a feather-bed dreamlike beginning. Latest single 'Nearer than Heaven' is pop perfection, while 'Long Time Coming' spins along a killer riff and fends off any thoughts of fey-ness with a real edge. Oriental-influenced 'Bedroom Scene' and shimmering ballad 'No Ending' maintain the magic.

Surely someone must have come up with these tunes before? They are too good to have only just been discovered. All this is before the absolute pinnacle of 'You Wear the Sun' with a jewel encrusted melody about a girl so perfect, "if I could I would leave you alone". 'Hey Girl' is a spot on Byrds tribute and 'Stay Where You Are' is a masterpiece of awkward interplay. Next is 'There's Water Here' and 'Satellites Lost' - haunting poems both. 'One Night Away' and 'On' close the album in an exciting, upbeat and thrilling fashion.

Every track on 'Faded Seaside Glamour' stands out and the last time that was true of a debut was for the Stone Roses. I can't give this album any higher recommendation than that.

words: Roger Hadwen

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