The title track to Babel’s debut album is an almost exact replica of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Bron Yr Aur Stomp’, this opening track setting a theme of acutely derivative rock that continues throughout the record, such as the Jefferson Airplane homage that is ‘Tell Me It’s Love’.

And while there is nothing particularly awful about this album, it lacks songwriting pedigree and the voice of singer Daniel Coughlan is devoid of personality.

The earnest Bristol six-piece do exhibit some sense of poetry and even melody on ‘Shangri La’ but hardly anything to warrant excitement. That track aside, every song sounds like an attempt to recreate the mood of Led Zep ‘going folky’ on Led Zeppelin III, with acoustic guitars, fast drums and the odd fiddle all pointing to a folk-rock pretence.

This is all very well but becomes tiresome, and suggests Babel are one trick ponies. Perhaps these West Country hoedowns would work live, but Babel’s first studio album offers little of interest.

Barnaby Smith