Ma Polaine's Great Decline
Album: Got Me Out Of Hell
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 9
Website: http://www.mapolainesgreatdecline.com/

My immediate thoughts on Blow Your Horn, the opening track of Got Me Out Of Hell Ma Polaine's Great Decline's debut album were "I got to see these live". This accordion led stomper had all the necessary elements for bouncing up and down in a space that was probably a little too small to be truly fit for purpose. It rose, then stopped at the perfect time to catch your breath, and then - slowly - rose again.

That could have been that. Another band who know what to do on stage but in the studio leave you slightly underwhelmed.

But, there's more to Ma Polaine's Great Decline than accordion and brass sharpness. No Words We Need is slow, soothing and soulful. Subtle guitar, gentle piano and a hint of brushes on snare back Beth Packer's sultry voice. The Dregs is a perfectly titled scratchy blues and the quiet, reflective Numb demands the listener's full attention.

Yes, I do still want to see them on stage but this album shows that they are much more than just a stage act.

John 'The Jacket' Hawes