Eeasy Records releases Science Fiction, the first full album from riff-driven Punk-Groove band Thee MVPs, after a string of E.P.s and the first single off the album – 'Ship Episode/Planet Episode'. The combo, originally from South East London but now based in Leeds, was formed by guitarist Charlie Wyatt and Daniel Bishop, who hadn’t even picked up a bass guitar before joining the group. Formed in 2012, they have toured relentlessly in the UK and America for the last six years, playing over 350 gigs supporting the likes of Ty Segall, Meatbodies, Twin Peaks, Flat Worms, METZ, Surfbort and others. The group’s album is described as part-concept, with both homages to science fiction and contemporary issues, such as relying on other people in times of need, the downside of being contactable 24/7, and the assumptions made about people who are in a band.

A 1950s B-movie-type radio receiver sound introduces us to the opener and single, 'Ship Episode/Planet Episode'. It’s very much Punk from the 1970s with a nice driving riff and guitar hook. It even has singalong ‘Oh, oh, oh’ choral vocals which nicely conflict with the general street Punk vocals for the verses. The wavelength interference makes a brief return, with a nice frantic and short solo. There is a bass riff entry back into the song. This is very tight and energetic music with a false ending. Refined Punk Rock, if there is such a thing. 'Causality' has an exchange guitar melody with harmony and a front, as you would expect from this genre. Jaunty but played with attitude. 'A Song For Councillor' has a guitar and drum-driven beat with an inherent groove and a memorable melodic chorus. It slows to a staggered beat and a single guitar riff, before returning us to that chorus and leaving us wanting more. 'You Ain’t It' has a little of Lazy Sunny Afternoon, by The Kinks to the vocals in verses. Another nice chunky riff and chanted chorus. This one has heavier and lower bass sounds.

For 'HAL', bass lines and eerie guitar introduce a moderate-paced song based on the incalcitrant computer from Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. This is quite different to what has gone before, although it does get much heavier and therefore more palatable in the last third. Somewhat quirky. 'SESH' has a low, fuzzy melody with intensity. It still comes across as an Indie Rock structure – particularly the vocals. Perhaps a Grunge version of one. 'Super Contactable' has some harmonies and echo/delay which acts as a nice opener. The verses are dull and purposely sung flat, but that is more for the effect of the chorus, I think. The bass rumbles along giving this one structure. The stops and starts are perfectly timed though. 'A Pining Replicant' sounds like a single in the making. Fast, very melodic and with plenty of energy and a nice guitar piece. The main piece is broken-up with some great changes, and a new little riff incorporated which deserves a song of its own.

'Funeral I and II' is a Post Punk, late 1970s Rock number, mostly fast-paced but with moments of more heavy and Progressive Metal, more moderately-paced. There are some interesting moments here. The over-driven guitar is never far away and it breaks-through, before simply and unceremoniously being cut-off along with the rest of the song. 'US Airways (Final Flight)' is the longest track and sees us out. It has the feeling of a short Pop Punk song, but has a bit of everything: a nice long guitar solo with background sound effects and fluttering, a scratchy bar chord riff, echoed background vocals to accompany the central ones, and plenty of rocking drive. What a way to end. The best of the bunch.

Aside from the fact I can’t see where 'HAL' fits in – apart from to offer the band a breather halfway through the set – I can’t find anything wrong with this album. It has energy, excitement, pace and melody. What more could you want from a band? A home-grown talent.

9

Ty Power