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The curveball that is the beginning of ‘Sensible Shoes’ belies the energy, inventiveness and non-conformity of what’s to follow, and the playfulness of the first track is one of the endearing elements of what is a corking boundary-crossing album.

London quintet Led Bib’s fourth album isn’t afraid to get experimental and avant garde but it’s the lyrical quality of the compositions on ‘Sensible Shoes’ combined with the groove they lay, breakdown and re-lay (see track 6 ‘Call Centre Labyrinth for a prime example) which set them apart. That and the dirty grungy bass, or as often, the distorted Rhodesy piano groove which sits fat beneath the saxophones while composer and drummer Mark Holub keeps the whole thing locked down.

Led Bib’s Wikipedia page describes their genre as modern jazz, but as much as anything there are metal, punk and drum and bass overtones throughout.

And yes, they were nominated for a Mercury Prize and therefore subject to a certain amount of hype, but in the case of Led Bib, believe the hype.

Sensible Shoes was released on Cuniform Records in May 2009.

Links:
http://www.ledbib.com/

http://www.myspace.com/ledbib

Led Bib’s Facebook page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Led_Bib