Popular for their live shows, Dublin rock outfit Machine Gun Baby decided a live CD was the next logical appendage to their establishing brand.

The four-piece from Portmarnock have been gigging steadily in Ireland for the last four years, notably at stamping grounds like Indiependence and Vantastival.

Opening track My Skin, is a mid tempo anthem-style track brimming with catchy guitar riffs and licks. There are obvious comparisons with the Kings of Leon, for both bands singers’ share a raspy vocal approach. The song is slow to come to life but once the chorus arrives, it carries an imaginary crowd with it. That’s a problem though; the lack of a crowd on a so-called ‘live CD’ is disappointing and it already leaves you feeling short-changed. In saying that, My Skin can only be described as a belter filled with colourful guitar riffs and a worthy track for big venues.

The second song Kensington begins and immediate concerns for a Kings of Leon copy arise. The drums, guitar and vocal are incredibly similar to something found on a KOL B-side. Freshness is vital for bands developing and selling a sound and MGB while good at what they do, fall short in differing themselves from such a household name. The harmonies on this track work nicely and they should probably feature more.

Next up is Cincinnati Kid. This song leans favourably toward bass and is a more progressive song altogether. The early vibrato effect on guitar is gentle and soothing and the vocal harmonies in the chorus work a real treat. It must be noted however, the lyrics in the verse are cringy. They sound loose and are difficult to take seriously. The song runs out of legs towards the end and would probably work better if it were shorter. Although the lyrics let this one down, the vocal in the chorus is superb.

The final song on the EP is entitled Breakaway and opens with a yet another catchy guitar riff. It has a nice vibe, familiar with that of The Strokes. The song slows to a complete stop mid-way through and then cleverly visits another chorus and then outro to round things off.

Having achieved moderate success in Ireland, Machine Gun Baby is set for a move to Berlin in 2013 where they will record their debut album. The live CD was recorded by Ciaran Thurlow in his Kildare-based studio, with guidance from producer Barry Murphy.