Ralfe Band - 'Women Of Japan' (Skint) Released 24/04/06

Purveyors of wonky alt-folk, Ralfe Band, are in fine off-kilter form with ‘Women of Japan.’ An almost nonsensical yet highly affable tune, centring on a simple cow bell donk and frontman Oly Ralfe’s slightly out-of-tune, vulnerable vocals it’s lovely stuff. Okay, admittedly it won’t be the most engaging thing you’ll hear this year, but really you’d have to be a double hard bastard not to fall for its fragile charm. Check out the gorgeous animated video too, which is worth buying the CD alone for.