Real sound of Scouse

(Morning Star, Saturday 16 July 2005)

ALBUM: The Stands - Horse Fabulous
(Echo)

FROM Scouse dream-pop via Chicago blues, The Stands' Howie Payne is guilty of wearing his influences on his sleeve.

The band's debut All Years Leaving was a shining light, sadly lost in the "shroom wave" of 2004, so this eclectic record is here to make reparations.

Produced by Tom Rothrock - famous for his work with Beck and the Foos, among others - this record has added a soulful maturity to the tunes that Howie's own production on the first album seemed to lack.

Being overlooked in favour of fellow Liverpool bands The Zutons and The Coral - in a strangely limitless "scene" that the music press was all too ready to fling together - seems to have made The Stands all the better.

Gentle album opener Turn The World Around eases the listener into a warm, welcoming realm of dreams and childhood aspirations. .

I Will Journey Home soars with haunting harmonies and When The Night Falls In is tender and sweet. The highlight has to be first single Do It Like You Like, which does sound slightly like it's found its way onto the wrong album. It rocks a glam stomp and takes a risk - but it pays off and makes The Stands sound stronger.

Horse Fabulous is the latest in the tradition of great pop records but the Liverpool "scene" is not what defines it as such - The Stands are.