Aside from the fact that any band on a label called "Moshi Moshi" are almost guaranteed to be excellent, there's far more to recommend this song than the mere label name. The disjointed twin guitars and tightly drawn vocal style will be familiar to anyone with a passing acquaintance to Gang Of Four or any of the current crop of jerky British guitar bands and I don't care how many people pick up on this style, THIS IS A GOOD THING. From the opening "aaaommm" chants to the final plaintive refrain of "I'm on fire!" "Banquet" is a toe-tapping, spazz-dancing thoroughbred.

Double A side "Staying Fat" is a more frenetic affair and what it lacks in terms of catchiness it has a fair crack at making up by way of punchiness, call-and-response vocals and squiggly guitar duelling. -Ian Martin, May.15.04

Banquet/Staying Fat