Since their formation just over a year ago, the stock of local band Fire Bird International (commonly known as FBI) has continued to rise, with a recent appearance on The Underground compilation backing up their regular performances at the indie showcase. FBI's debut EP shows precisely why the band has progressed in leaps and bounds in the short time since their creation.

The eight-track EP makes a solid impression from the outset, with the band's best-known songs Man Love, Masquerade and Loneliness upfront, before the orgasmic conclusion of Gonna Make Love. Throughout, FBI exhibit an admirably tight sound, decent energy, cheeky humour (Man Love!, for instance, concludes with the line “but not in a gay way, man”) and a melodic catchiness – demonstrated by singer Cain McInerney's impressive vocal versatility – which makes this EP extremely listenable.

The major setback is the constant distraction of vocal and stylistic similarities to better-known acts. But if FBI can emerge from behind its Blink 182-type veil and cultivate a more individual style, this bird might just take flight.

Mark Tjhung