On paper Girls seem like a perfect band; they’ve got a singer with a mysterious, cult past, they sound is rooted in retro hippy 1960’s San Francisco and they write songs that are confessional and intimate. However, at this point the dream surround Girls evaporates; despite the fact they have everything going for them they still sound like they don’t know enough musically to make a good album. In many ways, I think of Girls as an American Libertines; to look at them they’re one of the best bands of the moment, but as soon as you listen to them the myth disappears... However, that is not to say that ‘Album’ is not without its good songs; I love ‘Lust for Life’, ‘Hellhole Rat Race’ and ‘Summertime’. I also have to admit I admire the guitar work of Chet ‘JR’ White; he does take Girls into a plethora of musical directions sonically. I also like Christopher Owens’s ear for a song, especially his engaging and evocative lyrics; he really communicates all of the woe and sadness of his background. Also, the overall momentum of the songs is both engaging and if anything simply more interesting. However, beyond that there isn’t much else to compliment Girls on; personally by biggest qualm is the lack of variety between songs... Perhaps, the problem with Girls is that they buy into a dream; the classic, artist against the world kind of dream. So, needless to say, they don’t match everyone’s expectations of that dream, they certainly don’t match mine. After a while they just sound clichic, the obvious changes between major and minor chord structures and staccato rhythms over heartfelt lyrics, which all spell rock cliché. All of these qualities are commendable in music, but Girls never do anything with that format and they just sound stale and repetitive. However, Girls do seem to be endeavouring to resurrect a sound that is worth resurrecting, and although their delivery isn’t quite perfect, they certainly are reliving rock n roll’s misguided dream.