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If the fact that Glaswegian quartet Ursula Minor describe themselves as an electronic-tinged Jesus and Mary Chain meets Krautrock hybrid doesn't get you salivating, then opening number "Westphalia" certainly will. Tapping into the incendiary nature of the (in)famous Reid brothers, this instrumental number goes straight for the jugular with its driving rhythm, effervescent keys and anthem-sized guitars.

A promising start indeed from a band that is clearly unafraid to wear their hearts (and influences) on their sleeves. That's not to say they don't bring their own identity to the table. While the aptly-titled "Sick Fuzz" recalls The Ramones on speed or an opium-hazed Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, it is its ability to conjure images of the band performing in a dimly-lit fleapit, heads down, hair in the eyes and obscuring their faces that gives this track its electric disposition. The vocals are mixed so far back it's a struggle to make out what is being said, yet this adds to the intrigue of the whole song.

There's a feeling that this four-piece could benefit from the addition of live percussion rather than just a drum machine. In fact, in tandem with the electronics a live drum sound would give a number of these tracks that extra boost that could see them gaining new fans left, right and centre. "Two Past Weeks", the most commercial track featured here, already possesses considerable force with its visceral feedback straight from the Kevin Shields "How to Make a Wall of Noise" handbook. Live drums, though, would just give this track that extra edge it needs. That being said, the Interpol / Editors (should I say Bowie?) vocals will definitely appeal to an indie-crowd, suggesting they could have a minor hit on their hands.

On a personal level, closing number "Laudanum" is my favourite track and this is purely for nostalgic reasons. Here Ursula Minor employs those swirling oscillations that Hawkwind have built a career on. Whether they are produced using David Brock's revered audio generator is a different matter, but this song possesses a similar catchy riff to that of "Silver Machine" as the band set about powering this track skywards much like a space shuttle with banks of overridden guitar. An excellent end to a diverse and exciting new Ep, witness the birth of another great Glaswegian act.

Angry Ape


"URSULA MINOR -- Laudanum (The Foreign Office) -- Scottish band with a five track debut EP. They're doing a kind of airy/brooding Spacemen3/Jesus And Mary Chain/Krautrock thing and doing it very, very well..."

Organ Magazine