Tall Order
Giantsy
Independent

'Giantsy' is the first EP from local act Tall Order and at eight tracks, it's certainly a considerable effort. The five-piece are probably best known for their weekly gigs at their own Player's Choice venue - although 'venue' might be the wrong word for what is more than likely just a shed - which is also where they recorded.

Unfortunately, it bears all the hallmarks of having been recorded in a shed, rather than at a dedicated studio - right throughout the CD, the drums are tinny and weak, as if they've not been properly miked up. Additionally, the vocals are often buried and improperly mixed when there's backing vocals, as they often end up much louder than the lead, especially on The Internal Noise.

The band, in terms of guitars in particular, are clearly quite technically proficient - there are some nice solos at times, but for the most part, they stick to unimaginative '80s-style metal. Vocally, 'Giantsy' is a bit of a letdown, with the band's lead singer sounding either disappointingly 'pub rock', or worse, like the guy from Creed.

However, it's lyrically that the album really falls flat - songs like Freedom Fries and A Capital Idea attempt a political message, but just come off sounding heavy-handed and clumsy. Especially bad is the Howard-sampling Living In A Lie; the shed-standard production once again comes into play, rendering the samples incomprehensible.

Other tracks on 'Giantsy' suggest a lack of direction within the band, as if they can't work out whether they want to be taken seriously, or play songs like the dire Mumma's Undies - "Your mother slips off her underpants/Your daughter spreads her sexy little ass."

Despite all that, 'Giantsy' isn't the sound of a band who lack promise, rather one who lack focus on the big picture. Tall Order seem quite happy with their shed - it might be a while before they're ready to face the outside world, though.

Alistair Wallis