Fortunately it doesn't always take a genius to spot when an artist has a considerable amount of talent and experience. It's evident from the very first track that this album is the work of someone with a definite track record, and in Stephen Burns, the man supplying the songs, voice and guitar to THE SCRUFFS, the know-how goes back over thirty years.

Recorded in Scotland and mastered in Memphis, "Pop Manifesto" is a work of pop-rock quality that you feel couldn't have come from a new starter. It has the groove and originality of a 70s release from the days when "pop" meant something listenable that wasn't particularly heavy, not today's definition that usually leads to a regurgitation of a tune based on the latest whim of some talent show guru. Instead, chock-a-bloc with decent, eminently singable songs, it's reminiscent of the very best of English pop bands with some of THE KINKS latter day stuff particularly springing to mind on tracks such as "Situation Critical" and the amusing, acoustically driven "Jihann". Something of a suprise then from a band lead by an American but apparently the "English-ness" has been there all along in Burns' work.

"There's A Girl I Know" is an instantly likeable opener too and although many of the songs aren't necessarily blessed with the most testing or unique lyrical content, the simplicity works and in the main the whole album is just enjoyably listenable. Indeed it's the more politically motivated words on "Don't You Go There" that, along with "Karrie Anne" provide the only two tracks I didn't really rate. Elsewhere "She's Got It For You" seems to nod to McCartney somewhat whilst also sounding like SQUEEZE a little too and "Be A Dream" you feel owes a music credit to John Lennon close as it is to "Imagine" in style. Great song though!

Overall then, a fine album blessed with a healthy quota of good songs.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: www.thescruffs.com

RELATED ITEMS: Scruffs interview, 2008.