The Metros - More Money Less Grief (1965 Records) ****

12:18pm Friday 19th September 2008

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YOU have to love a record that captures a band this alive to itself. The Metros sound like they've done 10 seasons in Hamburg circa 1961, followed by 10 months on the road in a scabby Transit van - without sleep. Their grubby grooves, shouty lyrics and nailed down bombast come on like a keep-it-real enema to flush out all the manufactured indie scenester nonsense set out before them.

That it's produced by Baxter (son of Ian) Dury is fitting as it most readily recalls the pub rock roots of his old man and fellow Stiffs (look it up, son!) like Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello. There's a hefty dose of The Clash, a suggestion of what The Libertines might have been, a nod at Mott the Hoople and even a pinch of Madness in these tales of ordinary adventure on the mean streets of Anytown. Investigate!