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Music Review

03 December 2008 03:31 BST

Milburn: These Are the Facts

Mercury, October 1st.

In a nutshell…

Composed. Grown up. Sheffield. Self-styled.

What's it all about?

A second album release for Sheffield four-piece Milburn after a substantial tour and only a few weeks break. They released their first album, Well Well Well, early last year to much critical acclaim. It spawned top 20 singles Send In The Boys, Cheshire Cat Smile and the title track.

Since then, the lads have tried and successfully attempted to step away from the all-too-familiar Arctic Monkeys comparisons (four lads from Sheffield, indie, a certain swagger). These Are the Facts is more grown up from their first effort, despite a lack of an appearance from Billy Bragg on this album.

More thoughtful than the cheeky chap recording before hand, These Are the Facts has the strength to keep the detractors quiet, for a while at least.

Who's it by

Four Sheffield lads - Joe Carnall, Louis Carnall, Tom Rowley, and Joe Green – who knew each other as mates. One of their first performances was in drummer Joe Green's grandma's house. All are mad Sheffield Wednesday fans.

As an example…

"There are questions to be asked and attitudes to be changed/ What was once part of the charm is now part of the shame." – Summertime.

Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys

Very, very unlikely and completely off their radar. A steady chart acceptance and building on the success of the first album is as far as These Are the Times is going to get Milburn. May win the odd award though.

What the others say

"Milburn have all of the northern bravado and guitar rock based sound of the Arctic Monkeys without any of their lyrical dexterity, or pencil pointed social commentary." – Contact Music.

So is it any good?

These Are the Facts is actually a decent album. A good decision has been taken to release What Will You Do (When The Money Goes) as the first single – it's catchy, fun and an all-round good song. Summertime is funky and jaunty, while Cowboys and Indians is reminiscent of Gogol Bordello's gypsy punk.

However, Milburn have forever been labelled as an Arctic Monkeys tribute band. Well Well Well, while very good in places, was released too close to Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not to avoid comparisons. As a result, These Are the Facts is a make-or-break album.

With such pressure on their shoulders, you would have thought their second album would be a huge step away from the first. However, it is not. The start to Cowboys and Indians sounds like Send In The Boys from album one, while the lyrics are as satirical, biting and casual as the Arctics. I wanted to praise it, I really did (if only for the fact I support the same football team as them) but I can't, well not too much anyway.

6/10

Richard Fox

"I think it is absolutely mint." – Lucy Leonard

"Milburn can't be called Arctic Monkeys wannabes, 'cos they started a long time before the Arctics and taught them how to play! Everyone knows that where I come from - that's why Milburn are so popular in Sheffield. I went to see them at the Leadmill last and it was mint!" - Josh Hawksworth

"I agree with Josh - the Arctics used to support Milburn in gigs 'round Sheffield, they just got their album out first. Both are awesome bands but Milburn are certainly not an Artcics tribute band, maybe they are the best band people have never heard..." - Ron Burgundy (surely not the real one? - Entertainment Ed.)