With the help of producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley of Madness and David Bowie fame, Please Describe Yourself heralds Scottish five-piece Dogs Die in Hot Cars debut LP.  Hailing from St. Andrews, the band like many others started out as a group of school friends playing covers before writing original material.

Forthcoming single 'I Love You 'Cause I Have To' illustrates Winstanley's influence clearly with its ska guitar backing and catchy chorus that sticks in your head instantly. Like their name, DDIHC have a unique sound. Their album features a mix of acoustic and clean electric guitar riffs, vocal harmonies and catchy melodies.

"Don't keep up with the cool, I make up my own rules" front-man Craig Macintosh belts out in 'Lounger'. The clearly audible lyrics are there to make a point.

The band are at a turning point in their lives, they are rid of the boredom that school brought them but yet to hit the big-time. "And the world seems to frown on us...I'm not lost, I'm somewhat off the way", Craig sings in a depressed tone.

The rest of the album deals with the usual predictable issues that new upcoming bands bang on about, celebrity worship and dreams of a better life included. But with appearances at T in the Park and The Reading and Leeds festival lined up, the band's future is brighter than they would let us think.

Please Describe Yourself is an unusual marriage of adolescent lyrics with a much more mature sound and it is the latter that will definitely propel the band upwards.
(3½/5)

Release Date: 12 July 2004

Please Describe Yourself