Los Campesinos

The great thing about being a kid is that you get to play with kids' stuff all the time. Which, if you are Los Campesinos and have barely finished university, means you get to bring your child's glockenspiel and your melodica onstage. This is a good thing, because it's the childlike enthusiasm and melodies which set LC apart from any other band.

Visually, it's like being at a school concert after the Ritalin has worn off. Vocal - and toy instrument - duties are shared between Gareth and Aleksandra. One is like Pennie from The Automatic would be if he was as young as he thinks he is; the other is Kate Jackson from The Long Blondes without the self concious flirting. And if any of this lot have passed their final exams I'll be amazed, because musically they are tighter than any other seven piece around and have clearly spent more time in the rehearsal studio than any university lab. "You Do The Math(s)" is tossed out early on, the title a knowing nod to a potential American audience. "You Throw Parties, We Throw Knives" is just plain silly, but in a good way. Recent single "You! Me! Dancing!" manages to be both brilliant and hilarious at the same time. Indeed, it is only when set closer "Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks" dissolves into a full on acapella freak out that you realise that the seven of them are as daft as each other. Definitely your new favourite headcases.