The release of Luke Haines' book Bad Vibes: Britpop and My Part in Its Downfall, consists of a great deal of bitter reminiscing about being part of one of British rock's nearly bands, this is actually quite timely because The Rank Deluxe bear all the hallmarks of a nearly band; the heard it all before hooks, the recycled guitar riffs and the carpet blandness that is not so much vanilla but utterly flavourless. Not even Heston Blumenthal could do much with the ingredients of this album, a collection of cornflakes and Ready Salted crisps.
In a time where a band's first album must make at least some kind of impact there is little room for a band to grow over time a la Biffy Clyro. You Decide is the sound of a band still playing around with their influences, to the point that the running order of the album is irresponsibly put together. The sadistic hamster being shaken up in a kitchen roll tube of 'Save it For Tomorrow' is an album opener if I've ever heard one, yet it comes in, acting as the spirit level almost half way through, attempting to hold the listen together, appearing after the cod reggae of the ironically titled 'Dole Queue' (because that's where these lads are heading towards, sorry too easy) and a handful of other forgetful jaunts. If you're going to shoot your load do it early, don't save the pleasure.