Sourpatch - Crushin'

Sourpatch’s debut album, Crushin’, tears through the emotions from falling in love to breaking up. There really isn’t the time for anything more given the breakneck speed with which they dispense their infectious punk pop noise. It’s simple and it’s catchy and it’s adorable and it works.

I – and many others – have previously noted a similarity with Small Factory, but a friend’s comment in the pub the other week that Small Factory were much better live than on record had me revisit that opinion. For those of us who had the pleasure of seeing Small Factory live, their records benefit from the memory of their captivating gigs.

I’m not disputing the wonder of singles like Suggestions or What To Want, but Small Factory never ran wide-eyed and breathlessly through an album with such joie de vivre as Sourpatch do on Crushin’. This is a knock-out record with the pop hit of Heavenly Vs Satan and the thrill-a-minute of the All Girl Summer Fun Band at their tempestuous best.