Having toured with Ash, The Bravery, Keane, Travis and The Kings of Leon to name but a few, The Crimea's pedigree certainly isn't in question. On debut album Tragedy Rocks, they simply enforce their standing as one of the best new bands to look out for. Their press hype them up to have an "instantly identifiable yet unique" sound, and it's hard to argue that. They sound a bit like a lot of bands you've heard and liked, but you'd struggle to compare them to any particular group. Their jingly jangly sound will appeal to the mainstream, and the darker mood of the lyrics will have music purists purring into their fancy drinks as well.

If you're not sure what you're letting yourself in for, have a look through that earlier list of bands they've supported; if you can tick three out of the five as "likes" then you'll be happy here.

As lead singer Davey McManus howls his way around the 10 tracks on offer, the ears automatically prick up, eager to hear more. Losing My Hair sounds like The Supernaturals singing on top of a Coldplay riff. Don't let that put you off - it's well worth a listen. Stand out tracks here include the very tingly Lottery Winners on Acid, the melancholic Baby Boom and the fantastically brilliant Girl Just Died. There's a little bit of everything for everyone, and with the five piece heading out on tour in the next month or so, they look well worth checking out live as well.

Whilst the title of the album is Tragedy Rocks, The Crimea had better hope that success is just as enjoyable, as that's where they look to be headed after this jem of a debut.

http://www.thecrimea.net/