The Hours, aka Antony Genn and Martin Slattery, have friends in high places. None as high as Joe Strummer, the spirit (of rock and roll) in the sky. For Genn produced Strummer’s final band, The Mescaleros and Slattery played with them.

They’ve also received the patronage of Britpop royalty, Jarvis Cocker. Antony used to play in Pulp, you see. And enfant terrible of the art world Damien Hirst lended a hand in terms of financing Narcissus Road, the duo's debut album.

Hirst also designed a predictably arresting cover. However, once lured in by Damo's trap, listeners will not be disappointed. Opener ‘Ali In The Jungle’, already released as a single, dazzles with its bright lyrics, including ?it’s the greatest comeback since Lazarus?, and glaring indie-rock pomp.

Genn, the singer/songwriter of the partnership, in an interview with The Scotsman, revealed the debt he owes to Cocker. Working with Jarvis made him into a perfectionist and he advises aspiring musicians to be wary of setting their sights too low. “Unless your lyrics are going to be good and mean something, then don't even approach the microphone”, Ant warns.

The Hours may have formed in 2004. What’s more, the thirtysomething pair may have been around the block a bit, Genn for example joined Pulp as guitarist when just 14.
(3¾/5)