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Big Blue’s lyrics date back to 2004, and have circulated various open mic nights over the last few years; this year they get the definitive treatment. Here, The Doorbury Finkins defines what an EP should be: Catchy, poetic in lyric, an example of diversity in song making; and overall, a strong advert for the band.

Counting Dylan as formative influence, there is nothing flash about the selection of songs, or Martin Bell’s vocal range; however, with real passion and elegant dexterity comes the know-how of an unpretentious performance, in delivering the grist of acoustic rock.

Incidentally, the name “Doorbury Finkins” was coined by a friend of the band’s mother, who used it as a general word to describe things she’d forgotten the name for.

Such a philosophy would be enough to convey much of my belief in today’s popular music scene. I’d almost forgotten the excitement of hearing new material for the first time.

Perhaps I’m naïve: I haven’t bought a CD in months. Though, the thriving opening of Big Blue, admittedly, had me intrigued to find out what this “Melodramatic Pop Song” culture was all about:

“You made me believe I could fly as high as you. You made me believe, most of all, in you, big blue”.

(‘Big Blue’)

‘Quiet Devotion’, the second track, has a beautifully mellifluous tempo laden with breviloquent, yet profound verse, which invites the listener to partake in the root of the song.

Though, arguably, the final track ‘Same Old Sign’ is the most accomplished of the three: Preserving the adeptness of Bell’s poetry with kinetically-charged guitar riffs, which is what the band will probably end up sounding like most on its full-length LP.

At the minute Martin is talking to potential band members who will play bouzouki (a Greek mandolin -- sounds a bit like a sitar) and traditional English folk fiddle, to complete the full band package.

In the mean time, Big Blue should be enough of a taster of ‘Finkin’s potential to perform well in the chosen industry, given its own diligence.

(C) Andy Carrington, 2008.