September 8, 2000

London LA2

It won't change the world but, given their dubious past, it is, at least, a start.

As sports go, it's like shooting salmon on a fishmonger's slab. Little Hell have a song called 'Music Masochists' which slags off girl and boy groups, focusing particularly on a "teenage baby with breasts implanted". Somehow, you suspect, Britney Spears will survive the insult.

It won't change the world but, given their dubious past, it is, at least, a start. Because two of them - guitarists Steve Ludwin and Dennis Dicker - have been here before with sub-Placebo also-rans Carrie. True enough, they still occasionally confuse whining with spiky ennui, but what Carrie lacked - decent tunes, a convincing frontperson - has been found.

For that, they can thank singer Lucie Johnston, dressed in high street chic and dishevelled bob like a less well-adjusted Sophie Ellis-Bextor. One minute she's disdainfully aloof, the next she's spitting venom over the front three rows. Much like Little Hell's music.

A bludgeoned cover of Black Flag's 'Wasted' is summarily despatched, but far more interesting are their own songs, and not just because they have titles like 'Love Makes You Come Hard' and 'Kids They Fuck The Future'. 'Lose It' bleeds electro and goth into a metallic jackboot stomp, while new single 'Emotional Vampire Sound' is all fanged blasts, phlegmatic cul-de-sacs and jagged twists.

Britney might not have anything to worry about, but for those fed up with the endless stream of pop cyborgs and nice indie boys, at least Little Hell offer a viable alternative.