The Horrors are all about haircuts, right? Haircuts and looking moody. There is a contradiction between calling yourself an outsider and at the same time trying to be at the forefront of fashion. Hell, there’s a contraction between calling yourself an outsider and going on tour with The Automatic (even if they don’t like you). I could probably pad out this train of thought for a long time. I would be just another in a long line if I did, though. So, let’s talk about their music instead.

It’s easy to get lost in visuals when a band is as image conscious as The Horrors, which makes it all the more surprising when you discover that they give the same dedication to their music.

The sound of The Horrors is driven by Joshua Von Grimm’s guitar (for which he builds his own pedals) and Spider Webb’s organ. Tomethy Furse and Coffin Joe make up a solid rhythm section behind them and at the front is their excitable Goth frontman Faris Rotter. Scratch below their noisy garage rock and you’ll find a dearth of influences from the mainstream to the obscure.

But however raucous, these songs are catchy as hell. They’re pop songs. Pops songs made by a band who understand pop and understand the need for music that parents hate. The Towers Of London have tried and failed to pull this off because they actually believe their hype, but The Horrors are on top of it and, best of all, they sound like they’re enjoying it.

Label: Loog
Website: www.thehorrors.co.uk
Release date: 5th March 2007

Tracklist:

1. Jack The Ripper
2. Count In Fives
3. Draw Japan
4. Gloves
5. Excellent Choice
6. Little Victories
7. She Is The New Thing
8. Sheena Is A Parasite
9. Thunderclaps
10. Gil Sleeping
11. A Train Roars
12. Death At The Chapel (UK bonus track)