England will devour Pawns (http://www.wearepawns.com).
This little indie collective flashes back to the chick-fronted punk sassiness of Blondie with the sonic urgency of Sleater-Kinney. Pawns exlode from the gate on "Life's Little Obstacles" with its divebombing guitars; the slashing, angular riffs have a post-punk pulse about them, and the group gradually unveils its passion for '80s New Wave throughout the album.
While the retro alternative scene has become seriously overcrowded with the wake of the massive success of the Killers and their peers, we must welcome Pawns with open arms because they are not fly-by-night poseurs. "Bullethead" is fiercely rocking, blowing layers of tasty feedback at the speakers. The guitars certainly have a heavy vibe about them, suggesting the grimy riffage that characterized the '90s but vocalist Kat Mizani possesses New Wave cool, at times recalling Gwen Stefani of No Doubt ("I'd Make a Pretty Good Anchorman") but more often Deborah Harry of Blondie, especially on "Theory About a Boy and a Girl" and "A Leaf Falls."
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The lyrics seem personal yet the group never takes themselves too seriously. This is a fun LP - nothing more, nothing less.
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