Leicester based band Black Page Turns - formed by Mike A, formerly of The Authentics - have released two, two-track discs (that's a lot of number twos) in a short space of time that I, in some sort of magical journalistic skulduggery, have cobbled together into one review.

The title track of the first release, 'Simplest Of Tools' is a moody piece of modern rock with the emphasis firmly on melody. Hardly flawless, the rawness on offer provides a perfect taster of the band. 'Bang! Bang! Assassin!' cranks up the pace and throws some classic rock guitar into the mix before clouting you about the whiskers with a memorable hook. If there is a downside to all this, it has to be the vocals - they need a severe shot of confidence - but there is enough on offer here to provide hope for the future of the band....

.....and look - a mere double space later, the future is already looking brighter! Maybe not so bright that I have to wear shades, but certainly enough to see that Black Page Turns have already made strides forward with new release, the 'Nail In The Coffin' EP. The title track immediately hands the listener a more potent brew with the vocals already sounding like they've had a severe kick up the arse - sounding not unlike former Gun vocalist Mark Rankin. There is a definite immediacy to the track and the EP's second song, 'Stand Up For The Little Guy', continues this theme with any hint of the slight naivety of the previous release being firmly forgotten as some timeless guitar work gets haunted by a serious case of the melodies.

Black Page Turns are a band that I'll certainly be interested in watching grow. Check them out at www.myspace.com/blackpageturns