Album Review: Cynics - Stones I've Thrown EP

If the sound of Billy Bragg with a taste of Against Me! is what gives you wet dreams, then onesies Cynics (aka Giles Bidder) is the band that will sing you to sleep (if by sleep you mean sing-along with bucketloads of energy). His EP 'Stones I've Thrown' kicks off with '14 Coleman St.', a simple but effective sing-song drenched in acoustic punk ethos. Not instantly memorable, but it makes up for its lack of catchiness with enough heart to stop divorces.

"This may be all for nothing but I won't be fucking boring" sings mastermind Giles in 'You're Alright' and he's definitely true to his word. The song contains a welcome seasoning of instrumental arrangements, and ends on a melodic and tender note, making it the EP's stand-out track. 'Be Excellent To Each Other' starts off with chordal work similar to Dashboard Confessional's earlier work and channels the acoustic punk vibe into the man's poppier offering.