Yes, Correcto are affiliated with Franz Ferdinand. They share a drummer, Paul Thomson. Less famously, their bass player, Patrick Doyle, was part of the Royal We and is now in Sexy Kids. Really though, the unknown guys are the true stars of Correcto, and they make this debut album a rousing success. Danny Saunders writes and sings the songs; he and Richard Wright play the guitars. Let's modify that a bit -- catchy, instantly memorable songs and fiery, Wirey guitars. The sound is tough and lively with nods to the heyday of Scottish post-punk and more than a little debt to Josef K. That's one other thing they share with Franz. The heart of the record is the songs that have the feel of unearthed classics from 1979. "Do It Better" is an amazingly taut and brisk rocker, the kind that will get a club's worth of fans jumping up and down like mad. "Joni" is incredibly catchy, with a chorus you'll need a fair amount of luck to get out of your head. The fact that the stickiest part involves eating fish eyes only makes the hook all the more impressive. "Downs" adds some Flying Nun sound to their post-punk to pleasing effect, calling to mind classic Clean or Chills but given some punch and vigor. These three songs form a breathtaking core, but the rest of the record isn't overshadowed at all. The group has a firm grip on how to structure an album, adding some quieter, stripped-down tracks for breathers. Saunders' lyrical perspective is interesting throughout, giving romance and angst a very personal twist. His voice is idiosyncratic too, filled with spitting anger at times but mostly sounding arch and bitter. It's not off-putting, though; he gives off a "regular guy" vibe that makes his every word ring true. Even when he's singing about those damn fish eyes. This is an impressive debut from Correcto -- not quite equal to the bands their members are drawn from, but give them time.
© Tim Sendra /TiVo