There’s always a risk with split EP’s. Whether one band will be preferred rather
than the other is inevitable and while the ‘winning band’ may go on to be the
record company’s main focus, the ‘losing band’ may fade into obscurity.
However in this case, Leaving Home Records give us two bands that fully
deserve their, and our, maximum attention.

Awful Sparks deliver jittery pop at it’s best. They give us cheerful simple tunes
with a twist that ease the ears. ‘International Toughguy’ is delightfully unsettled.
Genius lyrics mixed with the desperate vocals accent this amazingly arty pop
song. Yet for all the agitation of the verse, the chorus runs the song along and
gives it the catchy tune, with a little guitar solo in the middle. Despite an air of
confidence around their music it’s easy to hear that they work hard to create
songs of this magnitude.

‘Note to self’ is more aggressive yet uses the same fundamentals as
‘International Toughguy’ but it’s ‘Le Nuit, C’est Paradis’ that really impresses.
Relaxed, restrained and remarkable, the song seems to glide along with a feeling of class. It provides a wonderful backdrop to a sunny London and it’s the vocal ability of Patrick that really stands Awful Sparks out from the rest. He is able to continuously break up the song’s natural pattern to make it seem better than it should be. We’ll definitely be hearing more from them soon.

So, Plastic Passion must be the ‘losing band’ and on the evidence of opening song ‘Not Art’ you wouldn’t be mistaken for going with that decision. ‘Not Art’ is snotty London punk and hardly compares to Awful Sparks. It’s reminiscent of a more angrier Art Brut but without the comedy factor. However, it does contain a wonderfully catchy chorus and a finish that leaves you gasping for breath.

Yet it’s ‘Pequena Petit’ that really states how good a band they are. Its astounding chorus is the highlight of the whole EP and you feel that, with more production and a producer that could really outline their strengths, this could be a London indie anthem. They transform from an under-rehearsed punk band to an arty, clever and musically versatile group. And as ‘Pequena Petit’ fades out, it leaves you wanting more of what it offered – brilliance.

And that goes for the whole EP.

Leaving Home Records have given us two amazing little bands from London and it’s only a matter of time before Leaving Home decide to use them on the big stage. See you down the front.

www.filthylittleangel.com/leavinghomerecords

Review by Joe Amos