Mad Staring Eyes: Bored of Looking Cool (Retina Records)
This four-piece comes from London and played at Glastonbury 2005. They have been described as a cross between The Cure and U2/Echo and the Bunnymen, but this does not make justice to their originality, even when you hear echoes of Devo and David Byrn. Punk stamina with nice guitar work, keyboards and melodically screaming vocals that will make you wonder what band you are listening to… the same one featured in some TV shows.
(Speaking of originality, as someone pointed out, the first two tracks may sound similar, like having the same riff.) In “Educated Heart” you have a 60’s sound and “Shiny new car” is a rock n’ roll. A line from “I start fights” will resonate with guys: “You know I love you, but I hate conversation.” Some personal favorites: “Blue,” “Out of my Head,” “Don’t Lead Me on,” “Walking in the Streets,” “Grounded.”
