You know you're in for something a bit different when band members are credited with playing
the spoons and a cowbell on the back cover of an EP, and London lo-fi rockers Hotel Ukraine
are just that. Their third EP 'Gift for Fiction', which the band describes as their 'most
energetic sound to date', spans a wide range of influences from jazz and blues to funk and rock and roll.
Strong opener 'As I Come In' is the highlight of the EP and is co-incidentally the only song
out of the five lead by singer Rosamund Pike. It sets up the expectation that the rest of the
songs will follow suit with quirky indie-girl pop. However, the remainder of theEP is carried
by lead vocalist Nick Taylor, with Pike taking an undeserved back seat. Their sound is filled
with chunky stop-start rhythms and charming vocal interplay which gives Hotel Ukraine a fresh,
innocent edge. Other strong points of theEP include the laid back shanty-ballad 'The Things You
Love' with it's carefree vocals and the funk driven chorus of 'Boxing Diabolical'. 'Gift for Fiction'
is laden with sweet lines and catchy melodies, making it a fun experience despite not being particularly well polished.
Although 'Gift for Fiction' contains plenty of promise, at five songs and eighteen minutes it
feels like it could be cut in half and not lose any of the enjoyment. Hotel Ukraine struggle
to keep their songs interesting, with 'Sleeping Lions' lasting perhaps two minutes longer than
it should. The EP leaves you with the impression that three concise, snappy songs would be more
satisfying and appealing than this offering. Despite this, it's hard not to fall for this amiable
collection of songs with even its slight flaws adding to itsDIY character. Hotel Ukraine are
definitely a band worthy of attention, even if 'Gift for Fiction' doesn't showcase their full potential.