At the time of release:
The hottest new band in Britain lands on American shores with their debut album. This group has the distinction of entering the British charts at #1, a feat not accomplished by a new artist in 10 years. Blending layered guitars and a sophisticated rhythmic approach with a pop songwriting sensibility, this London quartet stand poised to conquer the U.S. Tracks include the single/video "Slight Return," "Blue tonic" and "Vampire."
---//---
After The Stone Roses impressed few with the terminally mediocre Second Coming, The Bluetones were hailed as the successors to their jangly indie throne. Four London boys that carried themselves with the sense of lofty expectation that was so central to the Stone Roses' mystique, their debut Expecting To Fly surfed the exultant wave of nostalgia that was all too prevalent in the wake of Blur's Parklife and Oasis' Definitely Maybe. It's no surprise, then, that today Expecting To Fly sounds like a rather excellent Britpop period piece. Breakthrough single "Slight Return" kicks its heels with adolescent glee, and "Vampire" and "Things Change" are delivered with an chipper enthusiasm that neatly skirts Britpop's more pompous excesses. --Louis Pattison
