Hi 5x5

In The Dock having wrapped up a couple of weeks back, at least for the time being, 5x5 is the new regular feature on The Art Of Noise. Expertly organised by Simon of Sweeping The Nation, the idea is - as all the best are - a simple one: five volunteers listen to and give their verdicts on five tracks by five different up-and-coming "buzz" bands, but (and here's the good bit) without being given any clue as to the identity of those responsible.

The contributors for the inaugural installment were Damo, Jonathan, Mike, Swiss Toni and yours truly, and the results can be found here. For my part at least, it was really refreshing to come to something with absolutely no preconceptions or prejudices - hype be damned!