Leeds-based The Kingcrows have tickled my fancy and I don't mind admitting it. Why? You might ask. Well, this EP follows on the heels of the impressive 'A Murder Most Foul' and boasts four tracks (it credits three on the sleeve but the fourth is a hidden cover of 'The Letter' which is mighty fine and catchier than any STD).

Playing a raw punk sound that also has more than a foot in what I'd call the real glam camp - not the watered down powder puff metal that generally gets knocked out from the States but proper glam rock like the stuff that was pouring out of the UK in the 70's - all raw and trashy, plus some other early 80's bands with a punk/glam edge. I'm hearing influences like The Damned when 'Machine Gun Etiquette' came out and a hint of 'Strawberries' era, especially on the opening of 'In For The Kill', but whilst you get the harmonies from glam you also have the directness of bands like the Buzzcocks and, for my palette, a sound not a million miles from the Soho Roses (if I may be so bold). Maybe that's the inspiration for the harmonies on the choruses but, regardless of where they are drawing their inspiration from, this is a bloody good EP and a great introduction to the band's music and what they're capable of putting together.

Raw, catchy and direct, The Kingcrows clearly know and understand what it takes to punk rock 'n' roll the old school way and I'm liking it a lot. This is honest, authentic and thoroughly charming in all the right ways. Now pop over to the band's website and pick up a copy of this insanely cheap EP - you won't regret it. 'My my my my Magdelene'

www.myspace.com/kingcrows