Poisonous Times

Artist - The Old Haunts
Album - Poisonous Times
Label - Touch & Go

Sometimes 'polished' is exactly what you don't want. You want 100 ideas a minute and instruments played honestly, rather than shimmering perfection.

The spirit of punk in the mid-70s, the melodies of There She Goes and Another Girl, Another Planet, are all brought to life in these wonderfully undercooked songs.

Like the Tapes 'n Tapes album, there is not a moment of the disc uncovered by hooks that would do Velcro proud.

It can seem a little odd in places, a bit spooky, but that's mostly down the even-sneerier-than-Pete-Doherty vocals.

And it is to the Libertines first disc that it would be best to look for a comparison - the guitar leads the line, rhythm hooking up to melodic lead in the best garage punk style.

Poisonous Times is an album that may make no sense at all to a Radio 2 listener, or anyone over 25.

It could be so much better played, more perfectly sung - the songs could take it. But it wouldn't be anywhere near so enjoyable if it were - The Old Haunts are one of those bands you hope, just hope, you'll find in a 100-capacity club some time.

Rating 8/10
Mike Rea

10:09am Monday 28th April 2008

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