"'F***ing smashing tunes', this phrase by Paul Weller features on the cover of Moke's debut album Shorland. The Amsterdam-based could hardly wish for a better start of its career. The story about how the band became friends with the 'Modfather' has been all over the news. We won't go into that now. Instead, let's talk about the music on Shorland, which is tight, sharp and energetic. The record opens with rockers This Plan and single Last Chance. And after hearing those two songs you'll know that the rest of the album simply has to be just as good. Singer Felix Maginn and his men have succeeded to give the band an international sound. The result is rock 'n'roll at its best. Theme of the album is Maginn's Northern Irish roots. Almost the entire album refers to the troubles between the Protestants and the Catholics that have been continuing for many decades. But because of the enormous positive sound on Shorland you don't easily get the impression you're listening to a band with a heavy message. And that's the great thing about this album. Shorland is such a record that only gets better every time you listen to it. Weller simply is right." www.hollandsrock.com