Last autumn, Marc Rossiter breathed some much-needed life back into the UK rock ‘n’ roll scene with his debut compilation album. In the bleak winter months, those songs were the chink of light needed to get us through.
Now, with normality looming and better still, gigs firmly on the horizon, he is back with the second edition of Brits & Pieces. After hours of agonising, here is our top five of what is, eighteen fine singles:
5. The Voyd – Get Away
“I am not the one you want / I am not the one you want / but my dear, let’s get far away from here”
Unrequited love has never sounded this great. The sheer ecstasy of this chorus is astonishing considering the rejection at play. Every indie lad has been Simon Thomas to Carly Di Mato and here, the anthem those hilarious tragic days resides.
Guitar licks from the escapist dreams of Gazelle and The Rifles’ are delivered with perfection on this rasping anthem.
4. The Underclass – One
‘One’ is the fourth single from the Stoke outfit. Its heart is everything and for that alone, will see them thousands of fans for life. The heartfelt lyrics combine with a surge towards forever with the guitars and production. When people ask why we attend gigs and throw our arms aloft, this is your new answer.
3. The Outcharms - (Who’s Making You) Smile?
What begins as homage to 00s indie-rock rapidly leaves town and searches for something new. In a similar vein to Stanleys, they poetically meander their streets looking for life and love. It is, however, their defiance that sets them apart. The restart of guitars and spoken word ignites the spark that the crashing drums and the Roses’ psyche touches send flickering to the heavens.
2. Staarks – Another Lover
Hailing from Amersham, Staarks are sowing the seeds of something special here. Their brand of lo-fi garage pop-punk is as raucous as it is infectious. Frontwoman Anna Brissimitzakis has a unique energy. Aloof but present, cool but not bothered, she somehow outshines these astonishingly good riffs.
1. The Rosadocs - Say Something
The intro to The Walkman’s ‘The Rat’ catches fire and, from the flames, rises a joyous blend of Twisted Wheel’s ‘Lucy the Castle’ and ‘You Stole the Sun’.
What sets this apart from the aforementioned is its heart. A ginormous love-filled heart! This is rock ‘n’ roll for the new generation. Smarter and more socially aware than any previous, they offer a helping hand to anyone and everyone who is struggling. All the while, they never lose sight of escapist dreams and selling out huge gigs. No one is veer writing this band off as “lad rock”. Too pure, too caring, and too great!