AMG Review of Hats off to the Buskers

Tammy La Gorce
All Music Guide

Hats off to the Buskers, the much-hyped debut from the much-hyped Scottish band the View, comes by its breathless plaudits honestly: this is first-class crunchy guitar rock with singable melodies and heaps of attitude. Kyle Falconer and company aren't breaking any new ground here -- stylistically, the band has a lot in common with fellow U.K. rock hounds the Libertines -- but they bring a kickiness and energy to songs like "Superstar Tradesman" and "Same Jeans" that causes a genuine musical jolt, the kind you wouldn't want to miss if you've previously surrendered thrills to bands like Arctic Monkeys. "Skag Trendy," "Gran's for Tea" and several other tracks say great mouthfuls about the View's commitment to keeping it real -- they're kids from Scotland with Scottish-kid stories to tell -- but in a way that's more endearing than alienating. Standouts on a disc you'll want to play eardrum-dentingly loud include the rollicking "Wasted Little DJs," the hard-hitting but playful opener "Comin' Down" and the ska-circling "The Don."