Originally formed in Aberdeen before decamping to Brighton, on the strength of 'Just Go Home' The Xcerts appear to be caught in the midst of an identity crisis. It starts full of jangling indie pop frizz and chirpy doo-doo-doo harmonies, before the immaculately named vocalist Murray MacLeod starts draping his Scottish burr earnestly over everything. So far so Xeroxed, but halfway through there's a gently strummed middle eight hiatus right before a slew of crashing power chords, then a couple of awkward time changes, and a climax which involves much shouty life affirmation and what sounds like a sample of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Just Go Home was originally released two years ago - and it shows - although in amongst the four songs they cram into three and a half minutes there's possibly a grain of something worthwhile struggling to get out.
Just Go Home was originally released two years ago - and it shows - although in amongst the four songs they cram into three and a half minutes there's possibly a grain of something worthwhile struggling to get out.




