Swords: Lions & Gold

Swords by name, but not, it seems, by nature. This electro-indie trio's debut isn't as sharp or incisive as it could have been. The Dublin band are operating in a crowded market (file next to Dirty Epics), and their perfectly adequate songs fail to stand out amidst the many acts who are toeing the same, or a similar, line. Their predilection for pop songs with a downbeat, murky sound doesn't help their cause any, with songs such as The Menace and 8 Life Eat merging into a samey overwrought, synth-driven mélange. The best tracks here are those that lighten the tone and feel less cluttered, such as the Blondie-tinged All the Boys, Nine Nights and the title track, on which vocalist Diane Anglim's voice can be appreciated. A valiant effort, but ultimately one marred by a rather blunt delivery.
swordsband.com
Download: All the Boys, Nine Nights