Band : Nottingham
Album title : Talk To Strangers
Label : Oort Records
Distributor : /
Release date : 15/11/2010
Release : CD

For those into obscure bands, this is not about the Hungarian Power Metal band by the same name which left us the self-released full-length Anno.. and the 5-track 2001 EP Örökre...and are now split-up!

Comprised of lead singer/ guitarist Darrell Jones, guitarist Brian Darazsdi, bassist Korey Vieldhouse, and drummer Nick Baughman thís Nottingham hails from Randolph in New Jersey, where the band was apparently founded in 2008. They appear to be quite prolific, having released their debut EP Summer in early 2010, having followed it up with the debut full-length Talk To Strangers in November of the same year, and already announcing working on new tracks around the full-length's release date. Stylistically, the guys add a degree of Progressive Indie Rock to Poppy Pop Punk, and although that sets 'em apart from the usual Pop Punk hum-drum, their youthfulness comes through quite exuberantly in the slick vocal stylings. They dó however bring some very nice harmonics in the backing vocals! With lyrical content “...exploring love and loss, the heart and heartbreak of relationships...”, I suppose Youth into Poppy Punk (with a touch of Emo – hey, that lyrical content, you know!?) will find something in this band's music alright. Personally, I'm kinda settled in my ways (older too) and could do with more mature lyrics! Good thing the music ain't all Poppy, or this review would've been one big boring moment to pass!

At (www.) myspace.com/nottinghamnj, you'll find 3 songs off the band's 2010 EP, and only one (1!) off the full-length...but you'll get an idea what the band's music's like! I'm not sure, but the band may have a page at Last.fm, and you should be able to listen to 30-second samples from àll of the album's 10 songs at the album's page on Amazon (.fr, .uk, .com, .de) and iTunes. Gosh, I really don't mind listening to this type of slick music once in a while (because one hàs to have a broad look on the music that's out there), and I'm usually glad to pass onto something else...but I'll admit that in the case ofNottinghamI didn't mind too much! Still, I guess I'm tired enough of this type of music (I'm repeating myself, I see!)!

85/100

Tony.