The debut self-titled album from The Soft Pack seems be an album whose release will be perfectly timed for the Northern Hemisphere summer. An album perfect for rolling from one party to the next, where beer pong is going down. Meanwhile, for us on the other side of the world, it could be the album to helps us reminisce about the warm days just gone by. Brought together with fuzzy guitars, clean bumbling bass lines, solid drum beats and an apathetic yet out-to-prove-a-point vocals, conjuring up a formula that works well on the album.

The Soft Pack's sound can be described as garage rock, a band that wouldn’t sound out of place in the late 80’s or early 90’s, combined with 21^st century swagger. The album itself is fuzzy but controlled, allowing the listener to sing along in that half apathetic manner, or boogie to the pace the album sets from start to finish. Only one or two songs slow the pace down just enough to allow you to grab a quick breath and a drink, before you push the back button to keep yourself grooving along.

Album highlights include third track 'Answer To Yourself', featuring a catchy bass line intro. The lethargic lyrics pulling the song back in a tug of war with bass, but the lyrics can only fall so far behind, with the jangly guitar chords coming in to help the bass. Potentially, it's the catchiest song on the album, lulling the listener into the scene set, with a good sing along the only option.

Another stand out track, 'Flammable', with its rockabilly style drum beat, frenetic in pace and bass guitar, once again keeping the pace rollicking along. Featuring the jangling and fuzzy guitar tones popular in garage style bands today including label mates Girls.

The Soft Pack look to be a band on the rise, scoring big support slots on tours - and the debut album will do them no harm in working their way into the consciousness of more listeners.

Review Score: 7.5/10

‘The Soft Pack’ will be out 6th March 2010 on Pod through Inertia.
In the meantime, enjoy a free mp3 of “Answer To Yourself” - Click here to listen/download!