The Vanguard

"The Vanguard are an unlikely ensemble. They look like they could be in the cast of C4's 'Skins', but armed with guitars and enough guilt ridden poetry to sink even Ian McCulloch's boat. There are no overcoats here, but there is a thick layer of 80's urbanism, cemented by the ring of effected and delayed guitars. The bass line lifts the songs to the realms of dimly lit stadiums, elevating them on stainless meat hooks whilst the other guitar and drums slice away; the former with crumbled distortions and the latter with a determined mixture of solid, spine tingling thumps and cascading rolls. A few comparisons have been made already, but The Vanguard are maybe the first band to really distil both old and new with an original sense of flair and dedication. For me the subscription form has been completed and is in the post with a cheque – it won't be long I'm sure, before others follow."
By Manuel Ecostos (Manchester Music)