Wireless 3

Wireless 3 are a Wexford-based three-piece heavy rock outfit that wear their influences, Therapy?, Undertones and Fugazi among others, unashamedly on their rolled-up sleeves.

What distinguishes this trio from others of their ilk is the assuredness with which the songs here are belted out.

Of course, power and passion aren't everything, and again Wireless 3 are gifted with the presence of vocalist Jonathan Levis, a man who knows the difference between shouting and singing, and does both.

Musically, songs that in other hands could have remained sub-metal standards are rescued from mediocrity by clever arrangements which provide pleasant surprises for the listener; check out the opener, 'Free For All', Frustration' and 'Colour Blind'. It's a strong possibility that there are a couple of Pixies records in these guys' collections.

Like most debuts, it's not entirely flawless. The breakneck pace sometimes seems to be relentless, leaving little room for dynamics.

But for all that, any band who produce rollercoaster rock songs with an average length of two and a half minutes gets my vote.