The Stands were one of those bands that promised much but delivered very little.
Fetching up in post-Coral Liverpool at a time when anyone with a scouse accent was guaranteed an NME cover, their All Years Leaving debut was a dispiriting affair.
The record dealt in half-formed ideas and clichés and seemed unable to extricate itself from a scene listing towards parody. On the evidence of Horse Fabulous, it was something that the band themselves were aware of. The new album sees them decamp to LA, presumably in an effort to get in touch with the American influences buried on that first album.
In those terms, Horse Fabulous is a success. The record is as sunny as a Californian afternoon. The faults of All Years Leaving haven’t really gone away though.
There’s nothing new or original here – not necessarily a problem in itself, but the Stands still let their influences dominate instead of vice versa. The record just wanders around vaguely, unsure of where it wants to go and ending up down a dull cul-de-sac. The expectations may have dipped since last time but the Stands are still failing to deliver.