Tired of Hanging Around

One of the best and most popular live bands in the UK

Rock band The Zutons was formed in Liverpool, England, in the spring of 2002 by singer/guitarist David McCabe, lead guitarist Boyan Chowdhury, bassist Russell Pritchard, and drummer Sean Payne, with saxophonist Abi Harding joining later. When The Zutons first sprung to public attention two years ago, it was difficult to know what to make of them. They continued the city of Liverpool's rich vein of musical form, yet didn't sound like any of their contemporaries. Erstwhile Lightning Seed Ian Broudie managed to meld a wildly eclectic mix of indie guitar rock, 60s influenced pop and Dave McCabe's often-dark lyrics into a winningly listenable whole. They could even get away with a saxophone over most tracks, which most bands really wouldn't even dream of doing. After triumphant appearances last year at the V & Glastonbury Festivals and huge shows with U2, Oasis, REM and The Killers, The Zutons have forged a reputation as one of the best and most popular live bands in the UK. Yet this obviously hasn't gone to the band's collective head, as Tired Of Hanging Around is as delightfully quirky, original and catchy as its 2004’s predecessor, Who Killed the Zutons, whilst also representing something of a leap forward. The drums have punch, the instrumental textures a rounded warmth, and the band work hard to accentuate the songs with telling detail and ear-catching hooks.

Newfound confidence and swagger shot through Tired Of Hanging Around

In common with a lot of albums, which follow up a successful debut, there's a newfound confidence and swagger shot through the whole album. Lead single Why Won't You Give Me Your Love is a fine example – it's a wonderfully stomping affair with lyrics that, at first listen, sound like a conventional lover's plea. On closer inspection though, it's got black humor stamped right through it, with McCabe telling tales of locking his intended in a cellar and feeding her rodent hair. It's almost ridiculously infectious, with Abi Harding's backing vocals adding to the general feel of lunacy. That dark streak runs a mile wide through the album, with You've Got A Friend In Me being a disarmingly sweet duet between McCabe and Harding. It's a brilliantly written song about a stalker and his victim, written from the point of view of the stalker. Elsewhere, It's The Little Things You Do is endearingly manic, reminding one of The Bees' finer moments, while Valerie is just wonderful – it has an opening intro which appears to reference Tears For Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World and is a seemingly straightforward lovesick lovesong. The bouncy, singalong Oh Stacey Look What You've Done is another gem, its upbeat melody hiding a sad story of a woman spending her late father's money on booze every night.

Excellent second album that will only consolidate The Zutons' appeal

On Tired Of Hangin’ Around The Zutons trump their debut with an assured, confident collection of songs that accentuate their skill for vintage R&B, white-man soul, and some of the best rowdy sax since The Specials strode the earth. Each of the 11 songs that make up this old-fashioned 40-minute album boasts memorable and seductive little bits. Much improved is Abi Harding’s saxophone work, now capable of sensitive, jazzy undertones (You’ve Got A Friend In Me) or sudden bursts of nutty, bandy-legged strut, and McCabe’s soulful vocal is neatly bolstered by full-band backing vocals that add an enjoyably cabaret sense of drama to even the twitchiest blast of skiffle-punk. The sound of a band coming on in leaps and bounds. Producer Stephen Street (The Kaiser Chiefs/The Smiths) helps to shape a big, positive feel to the album, although the sense of melancholy and yearning added by some tracks means that things never quite become overwhelmingly bright and sunny. Guaranteed to appeal to fans of their first record, and commercial enough to also rope in some new admirers, Tired Of Hangin’ Around is an excellent second album that will only consolidate The Zutons' appeal. It's heartening that a band this eclectic and this original can still appeal to a wide audience.