Ricky We Are England (Beatcrazy Records) By Nick Quantrill

This unofficial World Cup 2006 track was going to be the record that propelled Ricky into the big time, and kick-started a career for the band that already had promised much. Add in that the band clocked up in excess of 25,000 miles traveling the length and breadth of the country recording over 50,000 school children chanting the popular Easy refrain for its closing section, it seems inconceivable that this song could fail to be a hit.

With a song packed full of the usual Ricky trademarks and an ultra-catchy chorus, We Are England is every thing that Embrace's official World Cup single isn't; powerful and rousing with a summery feeling that's perfect for blasting out pre-match, We Are England has the anthemic feeling of Oasis when they could still connect with a large audience.

Backed with That, My Girl, Is True, a song that harks back to the glory days of classic B-sides when bands could crash through a song in a couple of takes, it sounds like something that belongs at home on an early Beatles release. Although it doesn't have enough substance to merit consideration for a more high profile release, its charm and warmth mark it out as an enjoyable three minutes of bubblegum pop, full of intricate harmonies and a simple melody that stays with you.

The reason you've not heard of this release? Beatcrazy Records. One day a music journalist will write a book about the ineptitude of this label, but the simple fact that the release of the different formats couldn't be co-ordinated to the same day, goes some way to demonstrating the incompetence and frustration that has dogged the band over the last twelve months.

The result is that another band with all the potential in the world has no option but to quietly fall by the wayside. Tied in to a five album deal with a financially and creatively bankrupt record label, there is no way forward when a label can't take this kind of record out to a wider audience. To hear what might have been, seek out the excellent High Speed Silence album or download this single. www.myspace.com/thebandcalledricky www.weareengland.com

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