The Needs

Special Needs seem to have a vicious contempt for almost everything, according to their promo shtick: Jobs are shit, bands are shit, liking stuff is shit, only the most intense experiences will do.

Which is odd, really, as they seem quite a knock-about, tongue in cheek bunch, rather than five Ian Curtises. Still, appearances can be deceptive. Seeing as a moderate portion of their vitriol seems to be reserved for the Strokes, I’m almost scared to say the first number I catch sounds a teensy bit like Noo Yawk’s most famous-est sons…it's there in the chugging motorik drive and languid melody, even if singer Zachery Stephenson, clad in art-school geek-chic, does push his voice a fair bit further than ol’ bloodhound-features Casablancas. But then, all of a sudden there’s a boisterous chant of “HEY-HO”, like ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves of Millwall F.C.’ or summat. Then once again. Why didn’t they do that sooner? It was the best bit.

Elsewhere, there’s more Fall/Joy Division angularity with vocals rising from sombre, almost-spoken parts to tortured howling. There’s even a comedy garage-pop stomper to finish off with. 'I Was A Fifth Choice Beatle' seams to be an ode to the Pete Bests of this world, complete with Beach Boy harmonies and shared lead vocals, just like the fab four… An intriguing band; not exactly the boys next door, and for that reason alone, keep looking out for them and their silly name round your way…