Altsounds - Namaste - Expired [Single]

First impressions are a great starting point and Namaste do a great job with their presentation. The Single comes in a little brown paper bag with a sort of stamp print logo on the front, stuck together with a cheeky little Namaste sticker advertising their site and myspace. This is pretty aethestic, and does work for some bands. Namely The Ting Tings, or more popularly known as the "Ting Tongs". Hearing along the grapevine that the only reason they were noticed was their demo presented in a bright fluorescent pink cover package F.A.O'd to the unsigned man Huw Stephens of Radio1.

Namaste have a way about them that seems somewhat struggled. The vocals in particular, they maybe could do with a little work as they sound a little monotone. Although this may be something that warms after a few listens. Described as "Rock Rock Rock" on their space of My, the band have a certain Muse quality. Instrumentally the band are quality, curving off into oblivion on the first track 'Expired'. Starting off the song very Creed style of guitar/bass work before kicking into some hard riffage. The drums are tight and produce some nice little fills along with some funky little time signature changes. After two mins the track gets a little heavier with some crazy high pitched guitar funk, that works great and then off into some experimental authentic screeching. It's just those darn vocals that let it down when it kicks back in. Track two 'Cardioectomy seems to follow suite with experimental guitar work and some tight drummidge. This time the vocals have a nice harmonized touch to them on the chorus. They seem to almost go out of tune yet keeps in somehow. This is followed this some cool jittery jabs that sound a little Biffy Clyro.

Namaste are hard to pin point into a genre in the sense that they sound like a little mishmash of experimental rock and pub rock. If that makes any sense at all? 'Expired' is very listenable and will have no trouble pleasing the ears of many a listener but for me the vocals just need a little work in that first track. It would be interesting to see them in a live situation.