The Supatones - Unity Ave (Do The Dog) By Steve Rudd

Living up to their name in the most impeccable manner imaginable, this Hull-based band releases its astonishing debut album with an accompanying, nationwide tour to promote the beauty.

For the best part of November and the first half of December these guys and frontgirl Nicky have the open road as their friend as they dart up and down the country (but never far North of Hull, with most of their dates being down south, with dates in places such as Southampton, London and Birmingham), and this eight-track album proves that their music is most definitely worth checking out.

The first three tunes in particular - The Catch, Devil On My Shoulder and Choose Life - are truly incredible songs, packed with pop-perfect melodies and highly energetic vocal action. The Supatones efficiently mix startling elements of the aforementioned pop with chimes of punk and Ska, their songs individually outstanding for the quality of their choruses.

Wait And See provides a major diversion in style for a few minutes, as a reggae-styled influence bristles forth besides some Streets-esque rapping, this track actually being a brilliant duet. Still, the most irresistible tune of all on this release is arguably Wake Up which is a fantastically feel-good slice of music, as positive thinking and spirit-rejuvenating as U2's Beautiful Day.

A couple of Supatones band members actually used to be in another genuinely thrilling Hull-harboured band called Psycho Skank back in the year 2000 that impressed the local music scene for a couple of years.

The Supatones, for feisty Nicky and guitarist Pat at least (who used to play drums with a poetically manic flair for the Skank), is the next stage in their musical careers as they both further prove that they were born to play Ska and be in a band as though there's nothing more important.

The Supatones, by assuming such a name, aren't being arrogant: they really are incredible, and are merely being confident in their talents - and boy do they have every right to be... (5/5) Please consult www.supatones.com for more info E-mail pat@supatones.karoo.co.uk

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