To say that The First Dance is eagerly awaited underplays Bridezilla's predicament somewhat. Having been handpicked by Nick Cave, ATP and the indie-rock-cred community en masse as the bright young thing of the scene they'd better not fuck it up. Largely, they don't. Their first major release is a case study in simultaneously playing down expectations (it doesn't over-egg the mix) and broadening potential (2007's Bridezilla EP sounds like a completely different band). First track Lunar Eclipse sets the tone perfectly; an elegiac slow build smoulder, revelling in a light syncopated clutter of drums, violin and reverb-rich guitar snarls. Final track The Last Dance is an intense, delicate hushed gothic ballad. As bookends they do a pretty good job marking out the bands territory. In between there's high country, mountain-green pop songs, Will Oldham-style (Tailback) and alt-country rave-ups (Western Front). That said - it doesn't all work. A few tracks plod along directionless but The First Dance is an invigorating and bold statement of intent from a band seemingly not that interested in the middle ground. All power to them.
