| The Mules' debut album, 'Save Your Face', follows the release of single 'Polly-O' back in December and current second single release 'Here to Help'.
Although The Mules do have an essence of today's popular rock and roll, lamely titled 'indie', the similarities do not stretch beyond Ed Seed's British vocal style. The combination of guitar, bass, drums, violin and occasional piano with five slightly eccentric Oxford students produces a staccato storytelling cabaret. Focusing on the percussion parts, title track, 'Save Your Face' is a screeching, oom-pah rhythm, slightly too fast to keep up with but which wouldn't seem out of place in a modernised performance of Oliver. 'Seasonticketholder', the shortest but possibly the fastest track on the album, feels more like a street musician trying to fit in as much as physically possible in that window of opportunity that is the earshot of the passing public. Blues number, 'Live Feed', stands out like a sore thumb on this album, being so laid back you begin to feel like The Mules sugar rush has abruptly hit a wall, a foot thick iron wall. That is until the ska guitar, country fiddle and "HEY" of 'Tule Lake' slowly brings you back to the party mood. 'We're Good People' has an eerie air to it, reminiscent of Tim Burton films, reinforcing The Mules compatibility with the stage and film. With a whopping 15 tracks, 'Save Your Face' as a whole is an excellent debut showcasing five fantastic musicians obviously bored of the mindless song writing of today.
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