Manchester’s Lisbon describe their sound as ‘dramatic pop’, which, if I’m honest, is an immediate turn-off for reasons I find hard to explain. I guess it’s the connotations of flappy-cuffed arty types poncing about with clever-clever lyrics over disco beats with a cooler, smarter-than-thou demeanour.
Thankfully, this four-tracker isn’t as bad as all that. They do, however, clearly think they’re the reincarnation of The Smiths, with vocalist Robert S. Pollard singing from the throat and painting tender, self-denigrating pictures over jangly guitars.
Now, I like The Smiths, but am rarely impressed by their myriad imitators. Lisbon are certainly better than most, with some nice lyrical and musical flourishes - ‘Memory Song’ features some particularly sweet guitar detail just before the fade – but it doesn’t change the fact that they’re still very much in thrall to the influence of Morrissey and Marr. It’s early days, though, and they may get break the shackles and begin to forge their own identity in time.
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‘Vulnerable Mind EP’ can be downloaded free from Lisbon Online
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