By Russell Barker

Hailing from Trondheim, Norway, Wallpaper Silhouettes are a trio in thrall to the eighties indie ethos. For a start the album is a cassette only release (the band have since seen the downside of this and the next album will get a CD release).

There's a sense of the band stumbling about and finding their feet in the recording studio on this their first album release. A couple of tracks are far too sparse and show their frailties, these being 'The Gift' and the minimalist Joy Division sounds of 'Bells'.

The title track and 'A Need To Know' up the ante slightly coming on like an updated Orange Juice and teaching the skinny indie kids to dance. The latter track is vocally close to Edwyn Collins distinct warble too.

Where the band really excels is when they let other influences become more dominant and start to explore different musical areas. Thus the standout tracks of the album are the Kraftwerk sounding naked synth line and train like rhythms of 'Not Supporting Walls' and the dark, dramatic 'Silence Within Me' which is reminiscent of the Associates in their full pomp and glory.

Wallpaper Silhouettes are a band of many disparate influences, which pull the tentative Norwegian combo all over the shop. But the album feels all the better for it's ramshackle charm and makes you anticipate even better things from the next one.

For more info go to www.wallpapersilhouettes.com