Linoleum - Dissent (1997)

Linoleum are a London-based 4-piece fronted by singer Caroline Finch.
Somewhat predictably, their sound is not all too different from that of
Elastica or Sleeper, and yet, despite their dead-center indie
guitar rock predictableness, the band somehow projects a strong sense of
spirit and class that puts them a notch above their rivals. Overall,
"Dissent" is a highly impressive debut, featuring a nice
variety of moods and song styles, albeit one that sounds very 1997. The
atmosphere of self-imposed restriction built throughout the album gives
Linoleum a greater depth than some of their contemporaries. In the future,
I look forward to seeing if the band can grow their sound so that it is
defined by itself, rather than by the brit-pop era in which it exists.