The Byrds started to get interesting when they dropped the Dylan covers, and set out for that cosmic American sound which Gram Parsons was always striving for. Ahab appear to have headed in the same direction and alighted at plenty of the same destinations along the way. The difference is these guys are from Sheffield.

First things first: alt.Country duo A.H.A.B are not to be confused with the German doom metal band which shares the name (bar the dots) and certainly their music is a more atractive prospect.

On their debut album release, Callum Adamson and Dave Burn conjure up an immediately accessible, rootsy sound where raw country rubs shoulders with a more modern, indie sensibility.

The muti-talented pair is abundantly blessed with song writing and multi-instrumental skils (producing most of the sounds on the album themselves) but its their vocal performances that set them one step above the competition.

Their markedly different voices compliment each other - and the music - perfectly, one is pure Steve Earle at his gruffy emotional best , while the other bears an uncanny resemblance to Marillion's Steve Hogarth - perfect for those tender acoustic moments.

The ten tracks on the eponymous disc, are positively hook- ridden and quickly wheedle their way into the subconscious. However, songs such as 'the Killer' and an affecting cover of Nivana's 'Breed' demonstrate a darker undercurrent that holds the attention on repeated listening.

Other standout tracks include the upbeat 'Wish You' and the haunting 'Avenues' but in truth, none of the songs here count as filler fodder . Clearly they're an up and coming young duo to look out for on the UK Americana circuit.

Trevor Raggatt.

White Wail Records

A truly talented duo that both musically and lyrically are scaling the rocky path to success with ease.

First of all let me introduce you to  this fine pair of songwriters, Callum Adamson, son of the late Stuart Adamson, front man of scots rockers Big Country, and Dave Burn a Manchester born singer and songwriter who has in the past been signed to BMG publishing.

The pair first met in 2004 and soon realised that they were batting on the same wicket when it comes to songwriting and performing. This, their first full album, is a collection of nine original compositions and just one cover, an unusual acoustic version of the Kurt Cobain penned Breed.

The album opens with Wish You a live favourite on the theme of love and longing clearly highlighting the superb finger picked guitar of Callum and the whisky-soaked vocal delivery of Dave Burn. No No Babe follows in similar vein, this track also showing that the pair are no slouches when it comes to harmonies. Helping the pair out is J.Hirano and Snuff on percussion and Mike Skelton and Callum's sister Kirsten on backing vocals, herself a talented songwriter. Callum and Dave produced the album and between them play a variety of instrumentsincluding guitars, bass, wurlitzer and an unusual instrument called a bramstoker.

The moody Cobain track Breed is doen justice by the pair. Its interesting to note that AHAB are the first band to be given permission by Nirvana to record this track and very good it is to.

Oklahoma Girl just oozes country music sensibilities in its delivery and is sure to get much airplay from both the country stations as well as mainstream radio.

Killer track for me has just got to be Avenues, this superb composition is featured on a News Of The World cover-mount CD and when you listen to the track you can see why---great hook, lovely harmonies and guitar breaks to die for---excellent.

The campfire lament Natures Son is just so atmospheric, you can almost feel the wind whistling around the fire and mention must be made of Kirsten's haunting backing vocal creating an almost tribal feel to the song.

The album closes with Crows a simple yet effective track that showcases all the quality elements within the duo and is simplly stunning; this track really did bring a lump to my throat, If it does that to you, you just know you are listening to something special. Highly recomended. JC

Date review added: Thursday, August 28, 2008

Vist Americana UK

I got an email today from Kings of Leon - they were telling me that its really important for me to buy their new album because sometimes they wake up in the middle of the night....sometimes as late as 3am and just have to write their latest spurt of inspirado down..... Pshhhh.... I absolutely love them as a band but they can fuck-off. Isn't music about subversion-breaking rules---- everything that King of Leon write about? Well, as far as. I'm concerned, everyone that has bought our album has earned my eternal gratitude and is more than welcome to my time, attention, and bad jokes ! ..... everyone that has downloaded our songs illegally or has a burned copy from a friend...fair enough, hope you like it and will come see us play and see if we can convince you to buy an album at a gig.

And no new shoes for me this month as my bank just went bust..... Hah

Laters,

Cal