SYNDICATE* The Smile Says It All (The Sticky Label)

"The Smile Says It All" is the debut album from this British quartet, lauded by The Real People, Liam Gallagher and the Daily Star, of all people and places, and produced by John Robb (who’s also worked with Done Lying Down). Unfortunately, repeated plays have yet to impress me to a similar degree; all I can hear is uninspired, generic indie angst rock by numbers. That Syndicate* (yes, the asterisk is obligatory) have energy and commitment is indisputable; unfortunately "The Smile Says It All" seems to be predominately a product of perspiration rather than inspiration, and in a year that has produced so many searing flashings of brilliance so far you don’t really need it.