A Human - 'Third Hand Prophecy' (Wall Of Sound) Released 02/06/08

Five humans make up goth-disco champions A.Human all with the handy surname Human to underline this fact (although we suspect this is less Jackson 5 and more The Ramones). There’s Mellay, C More, K, BE, J and Dave which translates to four lads and a gal. They hail from as far afield as Denmark but they came together over a common-disillusion-with-modernity pint in a Clerkenwell drinking den.

They release 'Third Hand Prophecy' in the wake of a couple of tidy singles – 'Horse With No Name' (a cover of a country song by America, given a beat and blip overhaul) and 'Black Moon' – and some canny touring with the likes of label mates Art Brut and dancefloor megalith Shy Child. This is the first album, and a fine collection of sounds it is too.

Dave Human’s voice has a religious quality; deep and booming yet clean and clear. It hits you like Ian Curtis when he first opened his mouth on Granada Reports, or like the chap from 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster (remember them? Goth-punk-noiseniks with a liking for tasty motors) when he wasn’t yelling. He’s got a way with words too that Dave Human – weaving tales of drear and disrepute  in songs like 'Bedsit On Fire' and 'Golden Mile', or the tale of a man called Tony’s untimely death at the hands of a reality TV star’s estranged wife in 'Black Moon'.

The other four Human’s set about creating layers of synth-heavy, bassy krautrock for Dave to sing over and the result is pretty confusingly positive. Far from flooring you with misery, A.Human get the feet moving and the crowd jumping. This stinging wash of dance-friendly beat and shoegazy guitars is thanks in part to producer Tim Holmes: the man responsible for some of Spiritualised and Primal Scream’s best work – and helps keep 'Third Hand Prophecy' radio-friendly.

Amid all the misery, there is a rallying message and a knowing, black-comic smile. There’s light at the end of the tunnel: The Post Post Modern Anxiety Blues' are not something to wallow in, they’re a catalyst for change; the epic,11 minute album finisher reminds that the 'Sun Will Rise'; and in the title track Dave Human proudly announces that 'Third Hand Prophecy' will “light up the room.” It just might you know!