You know those times where you judge a band incorrectly, rigidly stick with that initial impression for ages and then end up eating humble pie about them?  That’s my experience with .  The first time I encountered them was at Indietracks 2009, when they were on immediately before Art Brut and, assuming my memory is correct, I actually found them a bit boring.  That opinion has stuck ever since, without any attempts to give them another chance.  Over the past few months, buzz has been building for their debut album, and people whose opinions I trust have gone on and on about it.  Did I listen though?  Nope.

Then I heard Record Shop.  Which is bloody fantastic.  I can’t tell you what has really changed since my first opinion, but this is just superb.  It builds and drops back at the right times, jangles appropriately, and good lord, the vocals are spectacular.  Which is ironic as they were one of the things that put me off the first time around.  But the depth and tone here are just completely wonderful.  This deserves to be a big hit, and if anything else on the album is half as good as this one, it’s going to be one of my favourites of the year.  So, so good.

The debut, self-titled album from Help Stamp Out Loneliness was released yesterday by the ever fine Where It’s At Is Where You Are.  You’ll be able to see the band at Indietracks, which takes place July 29-31.

MP3 Help Stamp Out Loneliness – Record Shop

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