Hymns - Cardinal Sins / Contrary Virtues

We shouldn’t dwell on the fact that †Hymns†’ frontman Sam Manville’s last band, Blakfish, are still sorely-missed following their break-up in 2010. He certainly doesn’t need to rely on past glories; the Midlands duo’s debut double album ‘Cardinal Sins / Contrary Virtues’ is frequently wicked (pun not intended), and while it very much retains the passionate, angry exasperation of Blakfish’s work, it has a more pronounced indie edge. Manville’s almost spoken-word style of vocal complements consistently impressive, idiosyncratic songs, finding a smart balance between subdued but affecting moments like ‘Honesty’ and the more full-on rock of ‘Idyllic In Nature, Horrendous In Habit’.