The Tacticians have no money.  They tell us this on their Myspace, their CD cover, and in their lyrics. It’s a safe bet they’ll still be broke after this album.

It’s not that this, their debut album, is terrible.  In fact, it’s eleven cleverly composed and neatly arranged songs, which manage to deliver an honest and charming look into the lives of Ollie and Joe 'Tactician'.

‘Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys’ is one of the album’s highlights, while current single ‘Hardcore Porn’ tells a tale of how you gotta-do-what-you-gotta-do to get by in London town, and ‘Honey You Ain’t Needed Any More’ is a very harmonious way to tell an ex to f*ck off.

So what’s the problem? Thing is, the music and delivery is pure pop, but the lyrics and themes are all pretty mundane, to the point where they become simply put, dull. Let’s face it, listening to someone you don’t know bang on about how ‘you’ve got to pay the rent’ and how they’re ‘living in a town full of losers’, isn’t exactly the best music to party to.

In short, the music isn't too bad, but only listen if you are willing to feel like you're having your ear bent by a stranger. Selling it to you? (Tim Hill)