Courteeners

Anna V2/ Co-Op**

Remember Courteeners? Not many will, despite decent chart placings for their first two albums and the patronage of Morrissey and Noel Gallagher.
The biggest problem with the Mancunian band's output is that it's simply far too ordinary. Liam Fray co continue that trend with Anna, a collection of durable indie songs that rarely switch tempo beyond a sturdy, mid-placed plod. The drum-free, violin-based Marquee and the Muse-aping space-rock of Money break up the monotonous trudge. Yet while it seems that Fray hankers to be considered a peer of fellow northerner Alex Turner, lyrics such as "Time is ticking, I don't wanna alarm ya/I'll be your knight in shining armour" only undermine his aspirations. The album is reliable but impossible to get excited about. thecourteeners. com

Download:Lose Control, Marquee