Irish boys Heritage Centre follow up the single 'I Will Protect You' with this seven-track (if you count the bonus cut) EP. It's fair to describe it as a record of two halves, even though, naturally, it's only available as a CD or download. The first half is a definite improvement on its predecessor, and while still in average white boy indie rock territory, the songs have drive and energy that provide the perfect foil for the lyrics of dissafection, distain and dissatisfaction.
'Didn't I try to tell you that?' howls McIntire with some real throat and convincing anguish on 'Throw Stones; It's Easy,' sounding not unlike Ian Astbury against some mean, gritty guitars. 'Free Out Here' is a little less frustrated and slows things a little. As a contrast, it works well.
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That 'I Will Protect You' and 'Whatever,' which also appeared on the 'I Will Protect You' single release both appear here, and in succession, feels rather like padding, even if 'Whatever' is a respectable slice of Wedding Present-y petulance.
The two remaining tracks are the kind of exercises in mediocrity that exemplify why their previous release didn't exactly enthral me. In all, a bit of a mixed bag, to which end the jury's still out on Heritage Centre for the time being...
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