ACTRESS HANDS - 'HALF AN HOUR'

Jingle jangle, jingle jangle, blah blah blah. What's that you hear? Another guitar band with a Teenage Fanclub fixation? Certainly not - go and hang your head in shame, as we're here to talk about Brighton's much loved power pop hero's Actress Hands - and there's so much more to them than mere comparisons.

All is busy in the world of The'Hands at present - with Matt Eaton and co. fresh (or not so) from playing a handful of dates with fellow Brightonians British Sea Power, and a forthcoming split 7" single with the Electric Soft Parade on the horizon. It all leads rather pleasantly to the release of this - the bands second single, a blistering new recording of firm live favourite 'Half an Hour'. But does it live up the excellent previous single 'Snack Horse'? In a word - yes?infact they've only gone and bettered it.

At less than two minutes in length, there's no messing around here. Just a short and sharp, guitar fuelled rocker ? lyrically inspired by the dangers of walking home late at night from the pub in Kilburn. "Just remember when you leave last thing at night / near the kerb, look around, and you'll be alright / you'll be home in an hour and half an hour / hold on for a minute and we can have some fun" sings Matt Eaton, as the guitars propel the song along, while the trademark vocal harmonies raise their heads briefly during the chorus - and its a wonderful thing indeed. If a comparison is to be made then think the scuzzy, fast paced guitar sound of 'Bizarro' era Wedding Present, raised down south ? and brought up listening to the likes of Teenage Fanclub and Big Star. Oh it rocks like one mean bastard. You gotta love it.

Flip things over (or not if you have a CD - obviously), and the usual rule of a slightly temperamental b-side goes straight out the window once you hear the opening guitar salvo of 'What's The Name Of The Planet You're From?' Another upbeat tune, with a catchy as hell guitar line, and hints of early Electric Soft Parade material - and that's a very good thing indeed.

Once again it seems Matt Eaton and co.'s knack for writing killer tunes and melody has come out on top - but then again did we really expect anything less? Quite simply some superb Indie Rock / Power Pop (whatever you want to call it ? I'm not fussy), minus the pretentious arrogant aspect of so many new bands these days. With a debut album currently in the process of being recorded at the Truck studios in Oxford, it appears the future is indeed looking very bright for Actress Hands. 'Half an Hour' - destined for an Indie night near you soon perhaps? Oh, come on - you don't really want to hear that Kooks tune again.

Lush - go and invest you pennies wisely.

Ian Chambers, Sept '06

9/10

Release Date: 2nd October

www.actresshandsmusic.co.uk