'Alcatraz', the lead single from the forthcoming debut album by Merseyside five piece Sound Of Guns is a sprightly paced track and, with its indie leanings, it reminds me slightly of James or even faint traces of Echo And The Bunnymen running through it, but with more rockin' leanings.

It's been getting airplay on Radio 1 and you can see why. It's big and grande and has a neat guitar hook running through it and, clocking in a 3:14, is the perfect length for a single. With a full album coming out I can see these boys doing well and appealing to a wide ranging audience. There's the slightest hint of early U2 going on as well which will no doubt generate interest, but the best thing going on here is there are no jangly Merseysound guitars and, by the sounds of it, these boys prefer to shout than warble which can only be a good thing, right?

www.myspace.com/soundofguns