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First off, Murry The Hump is a peculiarly British band that refers to things such as crisps, W.H. Smiths and the A46. Second off, they're pretty good. Much of this Too Pure debut is simply arranged and solidly played summery pop. Nothing fancy or groundbreaking, just good, and often amusing songs. Opener Green Green Grass is an ode to the herbal life, revolving around a cheesy story of a visit to the dealer. The Motown-driven beat of Cracking Up recalls Shack and The Trash Can Sinatras. There's a new twist on Ashcroftian vocal melody on the head-bobbing and twee Thrown Like A Stone, and another surprise with the jaunty country shuffle of Colouring Book â?? it even has a 'yee-ha!' The House That Used To Be A Ship is pure XTC, and a wonderful display of the art of keeping it simple, but making it grand. New Deal is, much like the forgotten Dawn Of The Replicants' classic, Candle Fire, the acceptable side of anthemic, and sounds like a possible hit. Songs Of Ignorance does aim wide on a few occasions, though. Five and Don't Slip Up, er, slip up, and the otherwise great Valley Girl â?? Murry's lyrical relative of The Bluetones' Sleazy Bed Track â?? is mauled by a ludicrous and unnecessary sub-Sabbath middle eight. But there's enough here to entertain, keeping about it a Neil Hannon-esque foppishness and sense of fun behind the tales of ordinary life in Britain today. Besides, any release that manages to include the word 'spleen' in a lyric deserves the thumbs-up.

Tom Sheriff
CWAS #8 - Summer 2001

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