Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The band used to be known as Holland but having changed musical direction, a name change seemed in order. A single listen to 'Paper Tapes' easily surrenders clues to main songwriter Will Holland and his team's passions and influences. The Lonely Hearts' music sinks its roots deep into classic American soil, nourished with Neil Young and Tom Petty flavours, but its branches have plenty of transatlantic reach, snatching chunks of early U2, indie clatter and the all-conquering Beatles (is their name a Sgt Pepper namecheck, I wonder?). To these ears, this is quintessential college rock, eclectic, earnest and for-thoughtful-read-almost-melancholic. More downbeat than up, but not lacking grit or verve in the kick, I even sensed a Kurt Cobain-shaped shadow creeping across the sonic landscape at times. There's a social conscience at work but it's wringing more questions than answers from the exploration. Intriguing, strangely compelling, a band that will inspire a devoted, thoughtful following. Welcome to the conversation...

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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