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The Electric Soft Parade: Manchester University

Dave Simpson, The Guardian, 28 February 2002

DESPITE THE FERVOUR for hot American bands the Strokes and the White Stripes, Britain has not forgotten how to make effortlessly classic, exciting guitar-based pop. The Electric Soft Parade's debut album, Holes in the Wall, has had rave reviews for its headrushing mixture of virtually the entire rock canon. The band's music visits Supergrass, punk, Nirvana, the Beach Boys and Hawkwind — often within the same song. Their favourite trick, however, is to combine powerful, melancholy words with uplifting melodies — a killer combination that will win them many fans.

Total word count of piece: 354

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