Dirty Epics' 2008 debut may not have set the Irish music scene alight, and it sounds like the Dublin new wave quartet didn't quite learn from their mistakes in the ensuing period. One-Way Mirror utilises the same grimy basslines, spiked guitar riffs and glossy choruses on songs that pay homage to bands such as Blondie ( Let's Be Alone ) and even No Doubt ( Beautiful Mistake ), but these 10 dated tracks display negligible innovation. When they forgo the persistent heavy-duty instrumentation and production, as heard on the melodic Those Pretty Things , things improve drastically. Indeed, the slow tick and groove of closing track Surrender is a huge improvement on the conventional tone and tempo, but it's too little, too late. A glance in the mirror may have enlightened the band to their limitations.
Dirtyepics. com
Download: Surrender, Those Pretty Things