Future Kings Of Spain

Judging by the quality of their debut album, it’s no wonder Dublin trio Future Kings Of Spain have been raising such a magnitude of eyebrows amongst the rock fraternity.

Having signed to the UK label Red Flag in 2001 (also home to Irish exports Ten Speed Racer), their eponymous LP was recorded in New York with former Fugazi producer Ted Niceley behind the desk.

Comprising eleven tracks of blistering rock ‘n roll, the album succeeds in capturing the band’s incendiary live sound, particularly on the seething riff-o-rama of ‘Face I Know’ and ‘A Place For Everything’, both of which easily satisfy this writer’s mandatory scream quotient. But it’s not all manic yelps and walls of distortion – the band are equally at home with their pop sensibilities (see the excellent ‘Hanging Around’), as well as the quieter end of the spectrum on ‘Simple Fact’ and ‘Upside Down’, the former a charming ballad laced with wistful vocals and chiming guitars, the latter a deceptively hushed lament, complemented by its mammoth chorus.

A couple of less gripping moments (‘Venetian Blinds’ and ‘Meanest Sound’) notwithstanding, with this album, Future Kings Of Spain assert themselves as one of Ireland’s most promising young rock acts. Definitely, completely and abso-fucking-lutely ones to watch out for.