The Leeds, UK based band Bilge Pump have been going at it for just over ten years now while developing a strong influence and following amongst the UK underground music scene during that time. Their offerings of abrasive, yet oddly tuneful noise-rock/post-punk have made the band one of the genres best kept secrets. Despite being together for over a decade the band has only recently released their second album. Upon formation, the band released some seven inches here and there and also found themselves on a number of compilations before releasing their debut album Let Me Breathe in 2002 through UK based label Gringo Records. Now after another handful of years of waiting the band has unleashed their second full-length Rupert the Sky just this past March, once again through Gringo.

Rupert the Sky should almost certainly please those already fans of the band, as the album reveals itself to be an even more concise and obtuse offering than their previous effort in Let Me Breathe. Yet, the band keeps in line with what has made them so endearing to listeners in the first place, and that is miraculously underneath all the jazzy drum meltdowns and odd time signatures is the playfulness and ear for melody. As a band that features such driving bass lines, it' s often easy to completely abandon any sort of tunefulness in favor of something more monotonous and blatantly powerful. However, Bilge Pump has no troubles keeping it interesting...even after being together for as long as they have. Rupert the Sky is just solid any way you choose to look at it, from instrumentation to songwriting. The band leaves nothing to be desired.

For those interested in purchasing Rupert the Sky or any other releases by Bilge Pump the head on over to Gringo Records to do so.