Already pegged for impending greatness by our ever-discerning News Editor Mike Roberts, Manchester's ORPHAN BOY are one of the self-styled 'Council pop' outfits plying the fringes of Stockport and the city's south side, picking up impressive numbers of fans along the way. Hell, they've even picked up their own gang of die-hard fans, known affectionately as the 'Bebop Council Pop Orphanite Anti-Social Brigade'. Phew! Take that Messrs. Doherty and Barat!
Taken from early 2008's mooted 'Shop Local' album, 'Alderley Edge' is one of their best yet, too. Released on Mike & Sarah Purcell's burgeoning Concrete Recordings imprint (famous for releasing early singles by the likes of THE SUBWAYS, RALFE BAND and THE DEADBEATS), it's a barbed broadside aimed in the direction of the 'Footballers' Wives' brigade populating the upwardly mobile Cheshire enclave of the same name and is propelled along magnificently by Chris Day's scattergun drumming, guitarist Smiffy's furiously dispatched vocals and the band's innate spikiness.
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Nominal flipside 'Middle Class Roots' runs it close too. Powerful, anthemic, driving and a little more linear, this time its' intriguing account of attitudes on both sides of the class divide is delivered by bassist Rob Cross, though there's also room for a surprise middle section and shows just how well these boys grasp the importance of dynamics.
Having recently shared stages at Manchester's prestigious In The City along with other hotly-tipped W&H faves Twisted Wheel, Orphan Boy look set to take 2008 by the horns in no uncertain terms. Making like the thrilling missing link between The Jam, the Gang Of Four and Big Flame, this single can only enhance their chances.
(www.myspace.com/orphanboy)
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