While it's pretty obvious that The Horrors are heavily influenced by Ian Curtis's monotones and Joy Division synth, it would be a dire mistake not to consider them as a band in their own right.

The whole London Pete-Doherty-is-cool indie scene might be a bit past its prime, yet it still seems to be churning out increasingly popular wayfarer-wearing festival bands, and it doesn't look set to hold back any time soon. That said, The Horrors' debut album has come at a cutthroat time in the ever-so-hyped era of alternative music, what with bands like White Lies and The Dead Weather to contend with, The Horrors certainly have a lot to prove.

You can pretty much sum up The Horrors in four songs. 'Mirror's Image,' 'Three Decades,' 'Who Can Say' and 'Do You Remember' are first-class both musically and lyrically, despite all sounding hauntingly familiar. Half of 'Primary Colours' is worthy of the band's Mercury Prize nomination. What about the other five tracks you ask?

Unfortunately, it seems the album manages to get progressively worse, namely from 'I Only Think Of You' onwards. Front man Faris Badwan's voice loses its dirty rock 'n roll edge, almost as if he was growing tired after singing the first five songs in a row without a cigarette break. Understanding why The Horrors, and co-producer Geoff Barrow (of Portishead fame) decided on 'Sea Within a Sea' as the first single is becoming increasingly difficult. It is by far one of the weaker tracks off the album.

Despite a few hiccups and a not-so-perfect debut, The Horrors aren't half bad, and for that they will be difficult to ignore. Their skinny jeans and depressing music is bound to confront you soon enough.