Orphan Boy are a three piece made up of Robb Rob Cross, Paul Smith and Chris Day and, I have to say, I don't quite know what to make of this album.

Being honest, it's not the style of music I like to listen to. Orphan Boy hail from Cleethorpes and have migrated to Manchester and this is pretty evident from the Stone Roses feel to some tracks.....even though they deny it!!! But the influences are drawn from much further afield, with a nod to Pulp and, on the opening track 'Letter For Annie', a very definite U2 feel around the time of 'Under A Blood Red Sky'.

In an earlier article they were described as "council Pop" but that does them a bit of an injustice - it's better than that. 'Anderson Shelter Blues', fair play, is one of the most experimental tracks I've heard in a while, but prolonged harmonica playing doesn't make it blues, in fact it leans more towards a commercial version of The Fall. There's quite a poetic, storytelling feel to the lyrics but I prefer Joolz (remember her) and from a more modern time Martin Grech, for that particular style.   

This is the band's second album and I think it puts down quite a marker for what they are pushing, and to that aim give them credit, but not for me. Doesn't mean it's a bad album just not to my taste, but there, worth a listen. Make your own mind up.

www.myspace.com/orphanboy