Uncertain Intent

Okay, I have to say upfront that the debut mini-album from Limerick quintet Zeppo really doesn’t do anything for me on a gut level. Nevertheless, Uncertain Intent is immaculately executed and recorded, full of big shiny shapes somewhere between art school quirkiness and latter day prog-rock muscle.

In cold technical terms, singer David Blake possesses an assured baritone (he can yowl too, as is evident on ‘Haircut’) and the players know every lick in the book. This listener’s problem is with the material, which tends to favour obtuse pyrotechnics over emotion, although ‘Vulcanology’ is a stand out, the sort of mournful mid-tempo ballad Bowie has specialised in of late.

I repeat, it’s not my cup of tea, but lesser bands have been filling stadia for the last 20 years. If Zeppo can find their constituency, good luck to them.