Envy & Other Sins
Prodigal Son

Don’t be deceived by Envy & Other Sins’ image as being caricatures of everything eccentrically British. Their Shakespearean website, Magna Carta-esque press release and citations of Toulouse Lautrec influence suggest a unique sound that debut single ‘Prodigal Son’ is anything but.

Far from the chaotic yet terribly debonair charm one might expect to emanate from such an image statement, the band are simply (but not necessarily unfortunately) a straight up bubble-gum rock outfit.

Take obvious influences from the foreleaders of British-bred rock – Muse/Radiohead - polish them, top them with a dusting of icing sugar and you have Envy & Other Sins.

‘Prodigal Son’ is four minutes and 54 seconds of straight-up, good old fashioned 90s English rock. It's not terribly ground-breaking, but to hear a new band not trying to be The Clash or Joy Division is currently a treat in itself.

The single, indeed the whole band, are obviously aimed carefully with the Top 20 in the centre of their sights. The whole thing smacks quite disturbingly of Halo (remember them?). Let's just hope this lot follow more in the footsteps of label-mates The Bravery than Sony’s failed dabble with manufactured rock.