Singles

The Holloways - Sinners and Winners

Alex Skinner 06/01/2009

Rating: 2/5

The Holloways: are they just a band or are they social commentators? Or a rag tag band who are also social commentators? Let's Ponder that question, shall we?

The Holloways hit out at some little things in society that bother them. Wait! There is a difference, these rogues achieve this with an upbeat musical meleé in the style of nu-wave Dexys Midnight Runners, on happy pills.

Sinners and Winners gets the E.P underway with an annoying opening monologue. 'You could shop at Sainsbury's / Why? / Because it makes life taste better'. Immediately, it annoys the hell out of me before the track even kicks fully in.

Sinners and Winners is average at best as it attempts to analyze things with no real relevance. I don't share their vision of what society is to them. The chorus goes something a little like this: “All these cats got their kittens on celery / while all these twats got their mittens on the treasury”.(If anyone knows what this means let me know. In fact, don't bother, I'm not interested in the slightest.)

It's far removed from their cheeky pop-centric tune 'Generator', where they received fine recognition. The tune has their simplistic guitar pop charm yet they cannot escape their lyrical failings: that reside in the realms of cringe worthy naivety: “Coming out of Topshop/ Girl with a mop top/ Cheeky little boob tube/ You Tube lover”. Frightening.

'P.S.B.' (Public Service Broadcasting) is more cultual commentary as their view of television in their own finagled, guitar-pop way. TAKE THAT people who watch Trisha! Whilst
posing the question:"Just how low this country can go?" Edgy.

Following this is 'Kill Each Day', which the best track on the E.P It shows an array of delicate majesty that is absent elsewhere. The correct formula has been found finally, but is only utlised on this track alone. Very nice.

The last track 'Forever' is a belligerent, soppy ballad-type song. It is easily forgotten, all with a generic orchestral strings build-up. Painstaking. The Holloways clearly need to get away from their debut album 'So This Is Great Britain?' and spread their chirpy, cheeky chap wings.