Crashland - Reviews Crashland (The Devoted EP ) Much like My Vitriol and King Adora, Crashland deal in spikey, metallic pop that grazes the charts but never seems to make the jump to genuine, Foo-Fighters like major league action. Of the three bands fates, Crashland's exile to the hinterland of under-achievement (they were dropped by their previous company, Independienete) is the greatest shame. The tracks on this EP demonstrate exactly why their fanbase remains devoted and respectably numerous: Karaoke Ballad sounds like the Afgan Whigs' soulful-voiced Greg Duli, Devotion recalls former label-mates Travis, Passive Aggressive mimics the Posies'brand of thrashy ultrapop, while Money Shot possesses enough spikey pop nous to illicit comparisons to both Blondie and Dave Grohl's aforementioned crew. Crashland are never going to set the world on fire, but with songs like Passive Aggressive, they have nothing to be ashamed of.  8/10 Honk (The Welsh Music Foundation) Crashland Louisiana, Bristol (Fri 2 Nov 2001) Punk never looked so pretty as Crashland's singer/guitarist Alex Troup. At times the music seemed to resemble his coiffeured barnet-cool but over-styled. They've not had the fast track to stardom they expected but they're sure as hell gonna act like it's already happened...and acting it is. See the wink, the crowd stare and the fey posturing. And why not? They have got some tunes on 'em...fantastic tight assed romps of effervescent pop that almost keep to the three-minute rule, the brazen charm of Modern Animal and Standard Love Affair, similar in the high-spirited novelty that Supergrass capture. Other stabbs at uninspired punk like 'Submission' are merely three-chord riff-fillers. The image is carefully devised but a clear musical identity seems elusive. Shame on you, Alex. He woos a girl to the point that she reaches out and touches his foot. Not quite the messiah yet, though.  (Nina Coughlan) Venue Crashland The glory tonight is clearly Crashland's and as the 'sound of music' fills the stage, those of a weak disposition have already left the building. On first appearances they might just be pretty boys with shaggy blonde haircuts, but the kids know how to ROCK - and they do it with the kind of ease and composure that arouses little sympathy when they claim at 'feeling a little new'. Drawing to a close with the stunning 'Karaoke Ballad', this is a 'Devotion 'that will soon be widespread. Victoria Durham ( Rocksound ) issue110