• Band / Artist : The Tacticians – mySpace
• Genre : Pop / Folk
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : Rough Trade
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 8.5 out of 10

I’ve got a great affection for this band. They have such a way with words and a delivery that’s just great. I have to say though that the previous EP, or more precisely the title track “London’s Alright” is still my favorite, but not by much. Being the ex-pat living in Canada, the old heart strings do flutter when I hear my home cityand in particular the actual area where I used to live, mentioned in a song. Anyway, that’s the previous release, so enough of that and onto the task at hand.

In the old days, and I’m talking pre CD, this would have been a double A side and in actual fact, you can order this as a regular vinyl 7 inch record. That is what I did with the previous release, more out of novelty than a hunger for more vinyl, but it does evoke some powerful memories and great ones at that, holding that black disk and sleeve in your hands. That the EP actually contains 3 tracks does add a little confusion in the mix, but hey that’s all half the fun with music.

The title track, “Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys” starts off with some really simple acoustic guitar, but it’s when the lyrics start, that the song comes to life. As has become the hallmark with The Tacticians, the lyrics and melody are exceedingly infectious and don’t take long to burrow into your subconscious. The second track “Get A Move On” is predictably more of the same and I mean that in the nicest possible way, as it is again a cracking track with just that right balance of infectious melody and great lyrics. The final track “Respectfully Proceeding” however doesn’t far as well and feels like a track that was throw onto the EP at the last minute. It’s not that it’s a bad track, it just doesn’t have that magic feel to it, but it’s still an enjoyable track and has a very 60’s feel to it.

Frustratingly an album is still in the distance, but hopefully this EP brings us another step closer. It’s interesting to see that this EP is distributed by Rough Trade, early record label of the Smiths. It would be great if Rough Trade commissioned an album and I’m sure this wouldn’t be too much of a gamble for them as I’d be amazed if it didn’t sell well.

Conclusion : Absolutely cracking stuff and another notch on the bed post of classic pop.