Media Assassin -  #8 (September 2005)

ACTRESS & BISHOP 13/08/05

If Vic and Bob decided to form a supergroup with British Sea Power and Arcade Fire at a scout hut jumble sale then they would undoubtedly sound like Envy & Other Sins.

Pop genius brought to you via a rhythm section as solid as Queen and a less cheeky, more chiselled Gaz Combes [sic] of a front man in the guise of Ali Forbes.

They've got the gimmick and the gold in the form of fancy dress indie classics such as 'Man Bites God' and 'Prodigal Son'.

Despite the brilliance of The Sins tonight, the atmosphere was only slightly more vibrant than a morgue due to the fact that there were so many record company schmucks in the crowd. Everyone standing there not knowing what to do with their hands when a song had finished. Once one person bravely ventured into the silent abyss with a nervous applause, the other twenty or so cardboard cut outs knew that it was alright, maybe even 'cool' to clap.

So, judging by the amount of industry interest they generated for this gig, it seems that indie world domination awaits for these scampy second hand shop connoisseurs. The vogue-ish shabby chic, the aura of a Victorian fair ground and let us not forget the toons. Oh, the TOONS! Take your pic, any way you look at it, sinning is sssoooo 'in' this season.