MY FRIEND IRMA - No Good for Anything, Get Outta My Head, New Zoo, Child of the Sun

After a hard day at work, I set off on my journey home and decided to slot this beautifully-packaged demo tape into my in-car entertainment system.

As the first strains of "No Good For Anything" came through the speakers, I developed what could best be described as a smirk. Don't get me wrong - I wasn't laughing at the music, far from it. I was actually delighted to listen to a band which seemed prepared to take a few risks.

"New Zoo" with its addictive guitar intro, and "Child of the Sun" - complete with a bizarre chorus which doubles in speed without warning - were the highlights.

I quite liked the singer, which is always a help, although if I'm honest, the backing vocals occasionally became a tiny bit grating.

A fair reflection of the demand for My Friend Irma came when the manager of the Rock Garden in Covent Garden phoned the band just hours after receiving a demo tape to book a gig.

I recommend catching this Cambridge five-piece in action live. You can see the band on May 19 when they play at The Boatrace in Cambridge.

*** (three stars out of five)

Rob Neal