Mancunian three-piece Black Market Serotonin offer up their weighty 'DeadByFiveOClock' EP and, with the five tracks clocking in at just short of 30 minutes, you can pretty much guarantee that there are no three minute rock songs here. BMS is the brainchild of singer/guitarist Andrew Pimblott, initially started as a bedroom studio experiment but, as the songs formed, a band was needed to push the project further and, with the recruitment of bassist Lee Campbell and Michael Colman on drums, Black Market Serotonin was born. Favouring a Steven Wilson approach to songwriting, as in album length pieces of music rather than seperate songs, 'DeadByFiveOClock' gives a snapshot of Black Market Serotonin's future potential.

Opening song and the title track rides in on a Muse-like riff, Campbell's angst-ridden vocals giving it an edge. The Mansun-esque mid song breakdown builds nicely to a finishing solo. The piano led 'The End Of History' flows along like a dreamy soundscape with a nice bendy guitar note that is...err...note worthy!

'Revelation One' has a modern rock feel, melodic guitars and fuzzy riffage. 'Clarity' is so so, and half the length of the other songs, maybe they are at their best writing longer, more involved tunes.

Closer 'Hours' is, for me, the strongest track on offer here, Campbell sounding like Mansun's Paul Draper singing 'Jar Of Flies' era Alice in Chains, and his voice is so much better singing the more chilled stuff. The piano mid section is fantastic stuff, it draws the listener right in, then builds to a crescendo but the sudden ending feels premature even at over six and half minutes.

Black Market Serotonin are ambitious, experimental and modern sounding. Combining good melodies and intelligent, well thought out arrangements they are guaranteed the attention of a wide range of music fans. Progressive they may well be, but they also mix in indie influences and a decent amount of attitude for good measure.

'DeadByFiveOClock' is a worthy introduction for a new band with the potential to do great things. Now do a great thing and check this EP out, even if just for the great tune 'Hours'.

www.myspace.com/blackmarketserotonin