(GRAVITY)
2004 has been no exception for ushering forth countless new bands of excellence, and Stapleton is one such band. A Glasgow trio with Al Paxton at its helm, this EP begins with the title track's cool indie-rocking, upbeat melancholia. The three tracks that follow suit are far better, more sweetly subdued and smartly poetic.
'Goodwill Race Car Driver' for wistful, slow-moving starters pits a lovingly lilting vibe akin to Seafood, Snow Patrol or Arco when on top form, the melody chaperoning the unadulterated bliss of the innocence-saturated lyrics ('I'm just being honest, that's my crime'). Hell, Stapleton might just be Scotland's answer to America's Counting Crows. 'All My Friends Are Ghosts' further forces you to appreciate the appropriately subtle bass guitar playing from Ian Arthur and Gordon Farquhar's drumming, before 'Party Potential' seals this EP in uber-poetic style ('The band played on and understood as we danced like we were made of wood'). Full points then for a band who put some genuine thought into what they are saying as well as what they are playing.
Stapleton are probably my favourite new discovery of 2003, here with 'Chez Chef' that was incidentally produced by Hundred Reasons' quality guitarist Larry Hibbitt no less.
(Steve Rudd)
www.go-stapleton.com