Reviewed by Sammy Horner

They used to be the Moodswings and they've gone a little bit more rocky than before. Cully still sounds like Gordon Gano...(nothing wrong with that mate!). This band don't really stick to any one style, sounding like a Brit pop guitar band one minute, a funky Average White Band team the next, then jump right into bluesy jazzy material. Like the Violent Femmes they aren't glued to a style or simple 'Godspeak' kind of lyrics and to their credit they pull it off pretty well although a few more quid in studio time would help...but we all know that problem! The song dedicated to the memory of Robert McKee of Hallelujah Square who tragically died a while back will touch many who remember Robert...it's not the kind of song you might associate with someone's memory...but it might just be right for the fun loving McKee. "Colours Of Melancholy" might leave you a bit confused...but Phoney are definitely one of our most experimental rock outfits in the UK today.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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