Alfie - People
[Regal]

We've missed Alfie, sure their last album wasn't too grand but they've had their fair share of decent tunes in the past. Anyway, it's Summer and Gorton and Co. are here to share their lovely, chirpy sound with us.

'People' is the track the lads wanted to make when they wrote 'Cloudy Lemonade', it's a fun, lovely jangly pop tune which could be a possible chart smash. Besides the weak vocals, the bassline is ace and leads most of the song. Occasional percussion could be made stronger and the cheap electronics do no favours for the band. However, this couldn't be released at a more fitting time, the sun is out and the birds are singing, welcome to Alfieville.

It's the B-sides however, where Alfie really shine (not another reference to summer, I promise). 'Masquerade' is an old live favourite from 'Word In Your Ear' era, it might start off like a mumbly 'Manor House Farm' with droney vocals and a broken drum machine, but before you know it, it's another magical Alfie moment. Big chorus, catchy melody and acoustic guitars backed by a cello. Lovely stuff, why this wasn't the A-Side is a mystery.

'Baddie' catches the band in their 'experimental' stage, like the Lone Pigeon on acid, it's a fairly hippy vibe which will undoubtedly lead them to a tag of a stoner band. It's humourous though, the vocals are trippy and make so sense whatsoever, there's loads of percussion and big drums. Definitely the best produced piece here, which is surprising as you get the feeling this is a studio outtake thrown in to fill up the B-Sides.

Overall a pretty good record, not as strong as some of their earlier work and the ProTools production takes away the warmth and rawness of the first EPs.