The eponymous debut from the Futureheads, Sunderland's post-punk 80s throwbacks, is a challenging listen but still manages to get your toe tapping. As the album unfolds, the references abound here, there and everywhere. The less-then-two-minute opener "Le Garage", starts off like a Flying Pickets album track, but soon transforms itself into a pogo-along Clash anthem. "Robot" could be a long lost Jam track, the intro riff bearing certain similarities to one of Weller's early ditties.

With each track from here on in it's difficult to stop yourself from thinking of the underrated but influential XTC, and even the Knack. The fleeting and endearing flashbacks don't detract from the charm of this album, however. The semi a capella "Danger of Water" will leave you smiling, despite its sad story. "First Day", which everyone should listen to on the morning they start a new job, even has a vague ska feel, reminiscent of the Beat. If you lived through the terrible fashion statements of he early 80s, this album will bring back memories of some of the finest bands around at the time. If you missed it, it will act as a musical tour of what the discerning listener had on their turntables back then. Either way, this record will get you pogoing in your living room. --Jamie Clark