BAND: GUN
ALBUM: POPKILLER
LABEL: TOWNSEND RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: 18-NOV-09                                             RATING   N/A
GENRE:  ROCK, INDIE
PRODUCER: GUN
WEBSITE: http://www.gunofficial.co.uk/
MY SPACE: http://www.myspace.com/gunofficial
REVIEWER: MARC "LAZY ROCKER" SCHNEIDERS

GUN are a rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, most well known for their cover of "Word Up!", originally by Cameo. From 1989 until 1997 they released 4 studio albums. The band split in 1997 and aside from a few one-off reunion gigs had not been active as a unit before reforming in 2008 with Toby Jepson (ex-Little Angels) as new vocalist. During their hiatus two GUN CDs were released (the compilation "The Collection" and a double live CD "The River Sessions").

Now with Toby Jepson on board GUN released the 5-track EP "Popkiller". You don't have to be afraid that the band is now starting to sound like the Little Angels. Jepson managed to sing like he has always been GUN's vocalist. The first track "Let Your Hair Down" is a typical GUN song with a powerful chorus, catchy hooks and 80’s synth pop sound. But this sound is still very refreshing. Now that I'm writing this review I think The Killers might have been very well influenced by GUN. "Seraphina" is another great track. The chorus won't leave your head. The title track starts with a simple synthesizer tune which grows to another great song with that typical GUN sound. "Ripping Up The Letters" is a mellow passionate song. The EP ends with the energic track "The Only". A straight rocker.

Overall a very good effort. I always liked the "old" GUN (first album "Taking On The World" is really a great album) but this new EP with Jepson now as vocalist is definitely worth buying too. The first 3 songs have the potential to be played on several rock stations. I never saw GUN live on stage before so I hope they will come around in 2010.

TRACKLISTING:
01 - Let Your Hair Down *
02 - Seraphina *
03 - Pop Killer *
04 - Ripping Up The Letters
05 - The Only

* Lazy Rocker's favorite tracks

BAND LINE UP:
Toby Jepson: vocals
Guiliano Gizzi: guitar
Dante Gizzi: bass guitar
Gordon McNeil: drums