This is the first time I have come across this Portsmouth act, though they have blagged some fairly decent support slots and seem to be at least moderately well known in Hampshire. Of A Nature is their debut EP and they seem to looking at the market segment that stretches from Biffy Clyro to the Foo Fighters.  

The CD kicks off with a track called “Toys” which drifts between indie rock and pop/punk, especially in the vocal delivery. The guitars come across as quite spangley though they do get a bit harder as the song progresses. I could almost have pictured this track as coming from Busted, or maybe Good Charlotte, and it has quite a mainstream appeal though fails to offer anything new. Next track up is “Kevs Song” which has a distinctly sharper feel to it and is less “pop” in the vocals. There is a good bass line here and the harder guitar sound moves it away from that pop/punk feel with definite hints of Biffy Clyro and Hundred Reasons in there without being to derivative. 

The third track, and soon to be their debut single, is “Tuesday Girl” which has a very mellow low key start though it does spring into life a bit from the half way point. This song has pop rock written all over it though it seems to lack spark and I found it hard to hold my attention to it, maybe not the most dynamic number for a debut single? Lastly comes “Fairy Tales” which again kicks off with a very poppy feel and vocals that sound a bit stretched. The sound does up the ante as it progresses however but still fails to shine overly brightly. 

Overall this is a decent debut from a new band but it is a very crowded niche they are trying to fit into. There is a market for this and there are flashes during the EP that more can come out of this act that can raise their stature. Reports say that this band give a good live performance so perhaps they are worth keeping an eye after this solid, but generally uninspiring, debut.

Let us know your views on Of A Nature

Track Listing

Toys
Kevs Song
Tuesday Girl
Fairy Tales

Line Up

Chris Pitt – Guitar/Vocals
Kev Burke - Drums
James Dillon - Bass
Phil Stoker - Vocals