To discover a new band who have their EP produced by John Leckie is going to make a few people sit up and take notice. For those unaware of John Leckie’s production work, his fingerprints can be found on the likes of the Stone Roses self titled debut album and their Second Coming final offering, Muse’s Showbiz and Origin of Symmetry albums, Radiohead’s The Bends and more recently Bellowhead’s Hedonism albums. That is, however, the tip of the iceberg in terms of the production influence that Leckie has had on the musical world and now he has lent his skills to ahab’s EP kmvt.

If you want to label music then it seems that as BBC Radio 2’s Simon Mayo has described ahab as being “UK Americana” whilst his stablemate DJ “Whispering” Bob Harris calls ahab “alt-country” to be honest it is difficult to see why the word Country isn’t used. You could argue that Americana and alt-country describe the idea that the music sits somewhere inbetween folk, country, blues and rock’n’roll, but in listening to ahab and in particular Lightnin’ Bug thoughts will be drawn to bluegrass harmonies, whilst Wish You will turn many back to the infamous Terry Bush track Maybe Tomorrow; used as the title theme to one of the TV versions of the Littlest Hobo.

In addition to the two tracks mentioned above there are another three on the kmvt EP, the wistful Dockers Hands keeping that country theme alive, whilst the strum along melodies of Call A Waiter and final track Where’s the One You Love have some lovely harmonic vocal moments that push comparisons with that burgeoning folk scene.

On the back of residency for some members of ahab at Tootsies Orchid Lounge, where the legends of country music have played, then there’s enough evidence to support where their musical compass is pointed. How it will go down in the UK remains to be seen. The band can sing and play, the lyrics are strong, there are some wonderful harmonies and it is obviously well produced, but does it excite? Difficult to tell really, from a UK perspective there will always be a level of interest in country music, but it is unlikely to turn ahab mainstream, but then again who’d have predicted the folk revival over here? If you enjoy laid back, inoffensive, country or folk tinged music then have a listen to kmvt, await ahab’s debut album scheduled for release in 2012 or even pop along to Bellowhead’s 18 date UK tour where ahab will be providing support.

Reviewed by Jimbo Walsh.

ahab's EP kmvt is available now to order from Amazon.