Out on Toast Records, Munkster’s ‘Help Me To Breathe’ just goes to prove that an unfashionable likeness to Police and bizarre ska influences doesn’t ncessarily end one’s career before it even gets started. Sparse and largely acoustic, and with only the merest sprinkling of rip-it-up power chords, Munkster combine the stirring, fragile nature of bands like Coldplay and Starsailor with the spunky, spread-eagle rockiness of Nada Surf and Jeff Buckley. Not quite No Doubt – but not quite Mr G.Sumner either. Seb Wesson’s voice provides the stark and abrupt wistfulness – and his childhood friends provide the clout.
Currently stirring the interest of a number of majors, it’s well worth getting hold of.