Along with Temples, Toy and Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs, the Wytches have formed a rowdy(ish) new psych nucleus at the formerly indie-heavy Heavenly Records. Long hair, stern faces and disturbing songs about mysticism and ghouls have usurped Jimi Goodwin's bowl cut and Beth Orton's comforting balladry at the label's vanguard. On their debut, the trio of Kristian Bell (singer-guitarist), Gianni Honey (drummer) and Dan Rumsey (bass) seem determined to take Heavenly into ever darker waters. Earning comparisons with Jesus Lizard and the Birthday Party, the trio are similarly edgy and unnerving at times, but in all honesty are far more concerned with carrying a tune than either of those two bands were. Opener Digsaw quickly moves from twitching verses into a straightforward power-chord chorus, and the scary-sounding Gravedweller (despite its name) is more pantomine gore than gruesome giallo. As Annabel Dream Reader continues, the band that spring to mind are the Horrors and their similarly Nick Cave-esque debut. Like that album, this is fun, but lacks the variety or genuine edge of their influences to grab a listener by the lapels and hold their attention throughout, whether they like it or not. ‑