Coming on like a cross between Supergrass (only not so kooky), Paramore, and some straight-laced American pop rock band, this Northern Irish trio play the Powerstation tomorrow night on their first trip to New Zealand. And if their debut album is anything togo by then it's likely to be a one big bounceathon.
Apart from the six-minute title track - a pleading and aching anthem, with quiet-loud dynamic, and soaring "woahs" - Buildings trundles along at a fair pace, with the remaining nine songs all around the three-minute mark.
As frontman Owen Strathern admits, the songs are all poppy and upbeat, but considering they are mostly about watching their friends become alcoholics and making nothing of their lives, the subject matter is a little grim. Not that the words exactly give any of their friends a boot up the bum, because mostly Strathern takes the softly, softly approach.
Musically it's fun and energetic, and while they let loose on catchy songs like I'm Not Made of Eyes and the thigh-slapping shindig of Rebel Get By, you have to wonder if you'll remember them in a year's time.
They have there thrilling moments, like the hint of Kings Of Leon hickness on Talk To My Friends before it spirals off into more hazy and swirling territory. But mostly it's wholesome, if a little lightweight, pop-rock. Yet it's not entirely ineffectual because you can't fault their conviction.
