Happy New Year!

Second Time Lucky is an eight piece band from Brighton, formed in 2003 from numerous former ska bands in the area. They were signed to Rann Records in 2008 and have just released their debut album Drink Sleep Repeat .

The style of the album is fairly fast paced and while very contemporary, never strays too far from a traditional ska or 2-Tone sound. The production is very polished, and the lead vocals of Cat Goodman have a refined feel, leaning towards the Gwen Stefani/Chrissie Hynde end of the scale in their more poppy moments, or Lorraine Müller of The Kingpins/Lo & The Magnetics (for those of you that are down with their Canadian ska bands).

In fact if I have one criticism it's that the vocals are at times a little too refined; especially on the tracks about drinking, that cry out for something a bit, well, rougher. That aside, the lyrics are witty and intelligent, third track Secret Dog in particular raising a smile.

If you're looking for something light-hearted, with the commercial appeal of a band like Mighty Mighty Bosstones or The Planet Smashers, I don't think you'll be disappointed with Second Time Lucky. Drink Sleep Repeat is available direct from www.rannrecords.co.uk or can be downloaded from all good online stores such as iTunes, Tesco Digital, HMV and Amazon.

 

Spence