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God save the Panama Kings. Long may they deliver their tremendously twisted songs. We hope that their choruses rule forever and that singer Niall continues to sound like a man being poked randomly with a sharp stick.

Their songs keep forking off into surprising places. This means they can change from psycho to happy and then exultant in a matter of seconds. Ricardo, sometime member of Clone Quartet, is bashing the drums in a perfectly intelligent manner. Niall has salvaged the melodic life of his former band The Smiles while Stuart and Luke (former subjects of the Fast Emperors) are jabbing and riffing with zeal.

Sometimes you're thinking of Modest Mouse and their intense ways. Elsewhere there's a joyful discord that recalls Wayne Coyne. Songs like Your Children Are Screaming and the new one about Belgravia Avenue are boss. This is singular music coming out of Auntie Annies and the 50th gig of the Up In The Attic series. There are celebrations on many levels and a sense that we can happily bow before the new regents of alternative quirk-soul.

Stuart Bailie
Photo by Stuart Bailie