EP REVIEW - Hot Vestry - Tell Me How It's Done - Shedhead

Fresh out of Manchester with a debut six-track EP comes the young Hot Vestry, a band with a moniker that conjures up sleazy images of ecclesiastical carnal romping for some odd reason. Anyway, enough of the name, let's head to the music. Basically a cauldron of dark, mysterious new-wave that doesn't sound a million miles from Magazine, Sex Gang Children and early Simple Minds, both vocally and musically - which is a good thing on two counts (never a huge SGC fan, personally, but loved the other two).

Of the half-dozen songs on offer, the highlight by a million miles is the intense Where All Ends Meet with its gutsy underbelly of moody synths and ankle-deep bassline that recalls some of Modern English's Mesh and Lace period. It might be churlish to compare a young outfit with others some thirty years older than their good selves but it's justified - there's a huge element of homage throughout this engaging EP. All moods are catered for - Colours of the Waterfall has a pretty piano hook and euphoric guitar riffs spread evenly (and more Jim Kerr-like vocals), while Dead Oceans borders on what Factory were unleashing during the early '80s - Tunnelvision, The Names and, dare I say it (i'll dare), Joy Division (it's a bit 'Day of the Lords').

There's a clear element of DIY about this entire EP but, with its eye-catching minimal graphics and fizzing, fuzzy contents, it's possibly the time to kneel down and pray at the alter of Hot Vestry. 7/10.