Single Review

Taken from their forthcoming third album 10:20 (released 5 March), The Twangs latest single was written during last years city riots across the country, and hitting a stones throw from the bands studio in Birminghams Jewellery Quarter. But whilst its title Were A Crowd may suggest something of a rousing football chant, the actual content of the song is more about melody focus than any call-to-arms.

There have been indications for awhile that both musically and lyrically The Twang were in a state of progression. Maturing, in terms of life experience as much as age, have cast the former loud, baggy lads of the West Midlands into the role of the amiable godfathers to the likes of up-and-coming Brummies such as The Carpels and Peace. They havent so much lost the cut-and-thrust of their debut album that was honed on the likes of Either Way and Wide Awake, as developed and broadened out.

Were A Crowd contains both The Twangs raw, punch-in-the-mouth strike, but tempered with a softer edge than of old, on say a song like The Neighbour. Although not a direct reference to the troubles of last summer, part of the feel of those times has filtered through into both the album, and this track. Opening on a gentle guitar riff, it builds nicely on a mid-tempo rhythm, punctuated as ever by Phil Etheridges distinctive spoken-sung vocal, and co-vox Saunders providing the melodic harmony on the catchy chorus line of This is our town/and we live here/This is our town/and were a crowd. Digging its grooves into all the right places, The Twang may not have a number one hit on their hands, but theres still a lot to like here. Backed with two original B-sides, Y.O.Y and Heart To Heart, give it a few listens and youll probably wanna be in their crowd too.