Little Man Tate - Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy (Skint)

Unfairly derided by many, Sheffield indie band Little Man Tate has a devoted live following (Taters as they are affectionately known). They also have both a new label and outlook after an unsuccessful flirt with the mainstream with debut album About What You Know a couple of years ago.

When they first came on the scene in 2006, Little Man Tate found themselves somewhat unfortunate to emerge at the same time as another Sheffield act with a similar lyrical wit, Arctic Monkeys.

It was a comparison that was always going to be hard to live up to and saw them cast rather as Monkey wannabees. However, anyone who heard early singles 'The Agent' and 'What? What You Got' should be aware that Little Man Tate could produce one-off singles on a par with anything on Alex Turner and Co's debut.

'What? What You Got' in particular was the perfect chronicling of a night out. What followed was undoubtedly a glaring mistake by the band - they decided to leave both the aforementioned singles off their ultimate debut album. Songs that on re-release could have been the making of the band as a mainstream act.

Ultimately, the debut album failed to cause enough of a stir for their major label (V2) and they found themselves back to square one. On second album Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy (an apt title), with a new label, the boys have lost none of their initial charm, but have they got the tunes to get them noticed?

The short answer is no. 'Money Wheel' and 'What Your Boyfriend' are a fine start to the album. 'She Looked Like Audrey Hepburn' would be a top ten smash if sung by fellow Yorkshire band Scouting For Girls, while 'Back Of The Pub Quiz', bar the rubbish title, is the album's highlight.

However, tight playing and a 'won't let them get us down' attitude can only get you so far and unfortunately Little Man Tate don't quite seem to have it in them to make that step forward. That won't stop them delighting their fans at their famously raucous and intimate gigs, but it may stop them ever really making the big time in the cut-throat music business.

Rating: 3/5

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Artist: Little Man Tate Title: About What You Know Released: 28/07/2009 Buy Now \| View Details	Artist: Little Man Tate Title: Nothing Worth.. Released: 07/10/2008 Buy Now \| View Details

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Little Man Tate's official website
http://www.littlemantate.co.uk

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Little Man Tate on MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/littlemantatemusic

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Published: 05/10/2008 at 17:11
Author: James Brindle
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