Grand National

Before putting this cd in the Music News Wurlitzer I had no idea what to expect, but only assumed that I was about to be subjected to sort of unthought provoking dross the name merited. The reality was far sweeter.

Rupert Lyddon and Lawrence 'La' Rudd are Grand National. A 28-year-old from Weston-Super-Mare, and his 29-year-old, other musical half, hailing from Amersham, they are set to create ripples in the pop industry.

The first track 'Drink To Moving On' is one of those songs that every one who's been in a band would love to play live and show off chord shucturability. Solid, moving, vibrant, but deadly still in its intensity. 'Talk Amongst Yourselves' is a number one single. A pumping bass line worthy of the great ‘Planet Funk' themselves it throws us into a Euro/Brit melodrama which intoxicates and poisons [possibly the best track on the album]. ‘Praying In The Distance' has a great crashing beat but will forever only be known for its Thomas Dolby ‘Hyperactive' trumpet screaming wildly for no apparent reason at all. ‘Boner' is where we really start to understand that these two ‘Titzi' [as they say in Italy, {normal guys}] break into their own/past. A white man's ska street walk, with attitude best describes it. The name ‘Peanut Dreams' will give any Police fan a reference point, [the wrong album], but later has me diving back into my vinyl to find that 3rd album just in case they mentioned the one they obviously left off it [Sting you c*&t I've found it!- wanna cream some more money you slimey bastard]. ‘Cherry Tree' is the forthcoming single bringing back that simple but extremely effective pumping bass. It's not bad, but the over the top backing heralds its unfortunate demise or glory!. After this there are just massive Police landmarks and signposts to follow and if you're into that [like me] then it becomes a mission you happily follow.

The fact that they have spent years performing cover versions of Police songs in pubs and bars around West London and Brighton, comes as no surprise.

The album can be best explained as a 'Planet Funk' 'Police' hybrid. A stunning debut.