Liverpool's Hooton Tennis Club release their new album, Highest Point In Cliff Town. Jones. From Chester and Ellesmere Port, the band's name was inspired by a sign for a tennis club in Little Sutton, Hooton Tennis Club grew up together playing in a number of different bands. While studying at various colleges they speedily recorded some songs to upload with no intention of ever being an actual "band" but then early demos soon caught the ears of Heavenly Recordings and by September 2014 the band had signed to the label.

Inspired by the plug-in-and-play quasi-improvisational approach of Deerhunter and Ariel Pink, Highest Point In Cliff Town evokes the spirit of an adolescent summer, characterized by understated riffs reminiscent of acts like Big Star and Silver Jews. Now this is either the band's appeal or turn off, depending on your point of view. Personally, it took me back to my youth and made me question: "was I ever as annoyingly childish as that?"

The album opener 'Up in the Air' brought forth my greatest fears in this being an immature band. The rather childish improved squeals was a tad over the top. However, everything soon settles down, and by the time we get to 'Always Coming Back 2 You' I started to appreciate what a powerful and impressive indie band they were.

The album contains 12 songs (37 min, 58 sec) and is a fairly strong indie album that straddles the line between punk and rock.

7

Nick Smithson