The Wombats – ‘Backfire At The Disco’ (Kids) Released 09/04/07

There’s a rolling snowball of hype starting behind The Wombats and on the basis of ‘Backfire At The Disco’ it’s easy to see why. Opening with a bass line that sounds like the 1960’s Batman theme this tale of a date falling apart crackles with flair and panache. There’s urgent guitar and drums, a whacking great big chorus and a bit where everyone goes “Whoah Ah”. In short, it is fantastic.

What really surprises is that the flip side is even better. ‘Little Miss Pipedream’ is a hidden gem, a loping bass line combining with lovely Beach Boys harmonies and some inspired, dry word play about longing for a girl. Vocalist Matthew Murphy croons “She works in a dental practice 9 till 5, how does she manage considering her nights don’t pass out till 3? So I guess that flossing is the last thing in a health routine.” Substantially different from the lead track, yet quite brilliant. If they keep this up, that rolling snowball will soon be an avalanche.