On paper, Sucioperro may not seem like a very original prospect, with extensive parallels between them and Biffy Clyro, a fellow Alt rock three-piece hailing from Ayrshire, difficult to avoid. After all, Frontman JP Reid is one half of disco funk mentalists Marmaduke Duke who are completed by… yes, Simon from Biffy Clyro; sonically there are myriad similarities also. However, on Pain Agency, Sucioperro’s second album, the three lads from ‘up north’ succeed in reminding us all why more of a good thing is nothing to be dismissed.

One thing that strikes you right from opener ‘Liquids’ is the sheer conviction of the band’s delivery; the album has a deeply human backbone, consistently touching and profound. It would be quite simple for a cynical band to pump out an album in this vein with little effort, but it would be devoid of the most important element, the heart and soul which are so evident all the way through these ten tracks. Packing some truly memorable choruses which puncture their way into your memory and remain wedged there, the album packs appeal for a wide range of people, from casual listeners in need of music to sing along with to more hardcore music fans in search of something with more depth. Even the old school classic rock fans get a nod, with some colossal riffs ripped straight from a smoky rock club’s Zeppelin and ‘DC stuffed jukebox.

In overall tone, proceedings are kept upbeat and relatively chirpy, with occasional forays into true heaviness, Reuben-like sections providing a refreshing contrast to more pop-tinged passages. Surprising rhythmic shifts keep songs form edging over into monotony and repetition, reinforcing a musical vision of light and shade through spiky rock to stripped down delicacy. Pain Agency is one of those ubiquitous albums that is fit for purpose regardless of how much time and concentration you are prepared to invest, and this is perhaps its greatest strength.

Ultimately though, the very nature of the off kilter line in melodic rock Sucioperro play is both the source of their appeal and the barrier keeping them from greatness. Chances are that you have heard something very similar before, there’s a good chance that your record collection contains many of its close kin, so whether you choose to pick up this album really depends on how much you need another album of its ilk. For those who have yet to demand something more radically different however, you won’t find anything better than Pain Agency.

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