THE LAW - Velvet Morning CD-EP

Four-tracker recorded at the now famous T-Pot Studios and a great introduction to the band's songs. Things kick off with the traditional live set opener, "Velvet Morning", with chunky drumming, solid cacading bass and Stevie's ringing guitar tones as the lead vocals are sung in semi-urgent fashion on top. The song is immediately addictive with that guitar lead chiming out in an almost country-rock meets sixties style of things, while you are completely hooked to the multi-harmony choruses and the lyrically rich verses. Fast-ish paced, it's one of those tracks that you feel you've known forever even though you've only just heard it. A great start.
"Watchin' The Paint Dry" is pure Beatles-esque - and every bit as good and classy. Opening with an almost Lennon-Ono "Instant Karma" style chant and percussive rhythm, the guitar slowly comes in and the bass and drums provide this kind of "oompah band" rhythm that is immediately infectious. Meanwhile Stuart on lead vocals sings the tale and sets the imagery in a seriously fantastic song that - and this is not over the top at all - would be the sort of song that Lennon-McCartney would have killed for back in the mid-late sixties, and is every bit as good as that implies. Stevie's guitar here is the model of restraint and that is just what the song demands. The song, the verses, the vocals, the execution, the arrangements, the lyrics - all are just spot on as the perfect three minute pop song shows its colours - a song that will be as catchy and as good in 20 years time, as it is now. "Milk And Honey" is another jaunty slice of excellence, this time with upfront bass work that provides the strength, while the drums drive it effortlessly forward, as the lightly echoed lead vocals evoke the lyrical descriptions, multi-tracked choruses rise upwards and the guitar work rings out, all providing another highly addictive slice of indie-pop that is suitably anthemic, and even comes with a delicious sixties- styled guitar solo in the middle, plus and end section that's right out of the excellence that was the McCartney way of doing things. The EP ends with the traditional live set closer, "Hot Rod". Amid an opening chorus of "oi oi", the song immediately sets the pace with a driving bass, dependable drumming, chiming, restrained guitar chords and Stuart telling us all about the guy in the lyrics with a vocal performance that is superbly catchy as the verses and harmonies are delivered to perfection, and another gem of a song unfolds - leaving you wanting nothing more than to play it all again - and again - and again.
It's all completely original even though its roots come shining through in spades. The remarkable thing is that it's every bit as good as classic Beatles - to generations young and old - and I know that in the past you could get burnt at the stake for daring to say such a thing, but in the past there's never been as band as good as The Law! So, get this EP, soak it all in, enjoy it and then say if it isn't the most exquisite slice of seriously excellent indie pop you've heard in years - there's no argument, and this is stunning.

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