A Genuine Freakshow
‘Oftentimes’
(Peartree Records)

A disappointing misnomer, A Genuine Freakshow in no way resemble anything close to a ‘curiosity.’ The Reading seven-piece create trite, over-worked orchestral manoeuvres in forgettableness; falling short of their desired epic, post-rock horizons and squarely into the middle of the road. ‘I Can Feel His Heartbeats’ kicks off with squirming Chillis guitar and drums, before horns parp in to introduce a Scouting For Girls-type chorus. Vocals are delivered with a cringeingly earnest falsetto, annunciating each ‘fuck’ with the pride of a naughty schoolboy. The calland- response of ‘Hopscotch Machinegun Madness’ extols fridge-magnet maxims – “this is our life and we should make the most of what we have” – before concluding “I could be famous if I really really wanted to.” Living TV’s Dating In The Dark beckons.

Emily Gosling