The Crescent
On The Run

Of course, The Crescent already have some form. They were the band who former La's frontman Lee Mavers 'adopted' and nurtured. But as ever with Mavers, he pulled out at the last minute, so here they are, ready to blast off, but without the scouse legend standing at the back.

It's a shame that their debut single is so unremarkable. 'On The Run', begins with a charming, welcoming little arpeggio, but then descends into the kind of safe Dadrock banality that has haunted British music post-Britpop. Lead singer Wayne Whitfield's vocals are worryingly Proud Mary, and he sounds so self-satisfied and smug on this record, that you simply want to smack him in the face, were you to meet him.

The tune itself can't make up it's mind whether it wants to be a La's like acoustic jangler or a Stones riffathon. Alas, it's as good as neither.

Why listen to The Crescent??? The year 2002 has already provided you with some of the most exciting, jaw-dropping bands in years. Shun them. Reject them. They are no use to you.