Homework – 13 Towers

Live, this Edinburgh-based electro-rock quartet have (in these pages) been compared to LCD Soundsystem, although on record that comparison somewhat overstates the electro element: the songs that comprise their debut generally lack the disco-inspired energy of James Murphy’s outfit. While there are plenty of fuzzing, squelching synths on 13 Towers, it remains a proudly rock-centred LP, ultimately grounded in Oli Kass’ earnest vocals and a driving rhythm section.

When the band launch into full-blown rock mode, as on Wouldn’t You Love’s swirling guitar solos, or Cairo’s plodding lead riff, 13 Towers feels meandering and uncertain. It’s not helped by the flat, bland production throughout, which gives the record little sense of dynamic variation. The atmosphere lifts on All I See, which foregrounds the band’s love of cowbell to create a Liquid Liquid-esque melee of percussive funk-rock; but the LP could have done with a more nuanced approach to emphasise such elements. [Sam Wiseman]