Led by charismatic frontman Dominic Masters, THE OTHERS are at the very epicentre of the London-centric, guerilla-gigging urchin rockers currently so beloved of the dear old NME.
And, while your reviewer could surely admire the sentiments of their first single, "This Is For The Poor", its' disenfrachised message was rather undermined by the chaotic, almost Dickensian sound of the band themselves.
However, their incessant gigging has clearly been sorting the wheat from the chaff, as eagerly-awaited follow-up "Stan Bowles" is sonically a huge leap forward, with the band's still endearingly raggy sound coralled into something taut and forceful.
The title, though, is something of a misnomer. A semi-autobiographical vignette, it's actually about Dominic's relationship with estranged'n'troubled Libertines star Pete Doherty, and how their friendship has helped urge The Others on. Dominic compares Pete's maverick genius to QPR'S legendary Stan The Man (another character who was known for his hedonistic prowess) and delivers the tune with a winsome, but slightly desperate charm that really suits the subject matter.
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"Then you helped me out, you gave me a break, a break from my boredom/ I quit my job, I took a gamble, a gamble on a new life" Dominic drawls, as the band take flight and a distinct Keith Levene-ish tinge of vitriol comes spitting from the guitars. It's heartfelt and heart-on-sleeve, and when he hits the touching kiss-off line, "I'll always owe you a debt of gratitude my friend"....well, only the hardest of hearts could deny the depth of feeling therein.
The Others, then, still lack discipline, but respond to the roars from the terraces. "Stan Bowles" is a bit of a chancer, but certainly glorious enough to hit the back of the net with a bit of help from a fumbling goalie.
www.letskilltheothers.com
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