Kassidy / Hope St

Kassidy
Hope St
(Vertigo/Mercury Records)
* * *

This new Scottish group have long hair and preacherman beards. Should our Imitators of Leon alarm be going off?

Thankfully no: Kassidy are a big sounding band, but they're definitely not trying to pass themselves off as American stadium rockers. Thank Gawd! That said, their music is very pleasant and inoffensive - good, but non-risk taking.

At their best you get the gospel stomp of 'The Lost' - which sounds like Spiritualized being chased by a headless horseman across the starry countryside. Likewise, 'La Revenge' takes a trip to the darker end of town, recalling 'Wicked Game' by Chris Isaak, while album closer 'The Betrayal' has a sense of being hunted amidst its acoustic blues.

And at their worst? Well, it 'aint that bad really but 'Waking Up Sideways' does venture a bit too close to the middle of the road, aiming for a kind of Elbow-style anthemia but coming off more like an aftershave ad.

Still, there's a lust for life and even a sense of humour that runs through 'Hope St', while their inclusive tunes give every indication that Kassidy are a safe bet for success in 2011. Let's just hope they don't play it too safe.