Fractured Life

Hey! Is that the new Coldplay single? No, wait! It's the latest one from Keane. Uhm. Or maybe it's The Killers. But that laddish vocal sounds like The Arctic Monkeys. Hang on, it’s been a while since Supergrass have done anything…

Air Traffic's influences are obvious — like so many of those young British bands that sound like a thousand others, this quartet from Bournemouth have yet to internalise the music of their idols and create something truly unique.

So the rolling piano arpeggios and U2-worshipping guitar soloing of 'Shooting Star' could be mistaken for anyone from Athlete to Snow Patrol. The barbed, late '70s new wave vibe of 'Charlotte' would have been a glorious tribute to The Jam, had Kaiser Chiefs and Franz Ferdinand not already done just that.

You’d even be forgiven for thinking that Chris Martin stepped behind the microphone and piano on the weepy 'No More Running Away', while the barnstorming 'Get In Line' could be an outtake from The Fratellis' impressive debut, 'Costello Music'.

So certainly the four piece — who (according to that treasure trove of inaccuracies, Wikipedia) used to practice next to an airport runway, picking up air traffic control signals on their amps — know how to craft a good pop song.

They've got the vague lyrics and big hooks down, but they need more than that. Like an identity of their own. You won't find it on this to-the-point collection of sentimental ballads, rise-and-fall epics, and fast, furious thrashers.