What Is There To Smile About - EP

Six songs long and worth every note, What is There shows the Lobsters in fine form, not terribly original but still quite good at what they do. The most notable track is "Let's Make Some Plans," in part due to its being covered by the Wedding Present as part of that group's Hit Parade series of singles. In and of itself, though, it's a winner through and through, with a sweet sting in both the arrangement, nicely touched with light keyboards and building to a great climax, and the lyrics, covering emotional confusion and doubt with style. Other tracks show the band in its wonderfully indie/folk/pop/rock mode, pleasantly going along with just enough bite at points to really count. The title track is a fine number, with a brisk pace, a clever lyrical hook in the verse courtesy of singer Burnett and a good blend of gentle melancholy and energy. If anything, they show themselves to easily fit in a Scottish music continuum running from Orange Juice and Aztec Camera to the Trash Can Sinatras and, at a push, Travis. Good stuff, in sum.