Single Review

Quiet As A Mouse – British Flag EP

• 11th Aug 2014

The Edinburgh based indie band Quiet As A Mouse was formed by singer/ songwriter Alex Moran in 2012. Two singles released so far have been well received and the quartet has also built up a good reputation as a live act, supporting several big names. The four track British Flag EP is their first extended release, engineered and mixed by Liam Watson (The White Stripes ‘Elephant’) at Toerag Studios in London and mastered by Noel Summerville (The Clash & Aphex Twin).

Title track British Flag is mainly a gentle song with a simple chorus that sticks in the mind, yet when a slow drum beat backs flat vocals there is an edge that hints at danger. The contrast between verse and chorus makes this an appealing song, perhaps the best of the four on offer.

Christina, It’s Christmas Time has a smooth feel, the guitar melody twinkling under the vocals. The music rises and falls with the even vocals at times backed only by the guitar. The acoustic Oliviatown, a slow song of longing uses a deeper vocal delivery and develops into an upbeat declaration of love with a violin melody that adds much. Head Turner has a faster tempo and comes closer to an indie pop feel, the guitars more strident and a short solo giving a bit of bite. This is perhaps more typical indie territory and QAAM do it well.

The four tracks on this EP provide a good introduction to a band with a slightly different take on indie music. There is variety within all of the tracks and change of pace is used to good effect several times. This is good stuff from Quiet As A Mouse, a name to remember.

Venue: British Flag EP
Support Band: self