released 25 September 2006
Produced by Ronald Bood

Written and performed by Paul Kelly

with:
Peter Ågren - Additional Keyboards
Sean McGrath - Drums
Andreas Söderlund - Percussion


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“Jaw on floor, dancing boots in turbo, absolutely marvellous, marvellous stuff. Expect great things - if not, you’ve only your damn selves to blame.” - THE SKINNY

"The Martial Arts arrive clutching melodies that are dizzyingly contorted and satisfyingly sweet... 'Don’t Want To Talk' is insistent, rousing and yes – youthful: brimming with young confidence, it takes a melancholy subject matter and spins it into a sweet shanty, Liverpudlian, simple and true. Here is 2’30″ of exemption from age, real life, or any other concerns. The Martial Arts‘ trick is to provide respite from a world addicted to youth by using their nagging, charming songs to pull their listeners right back to the younger days. Like, weird, man." - anewbandaday.com

"A classic from start to finish." - icecreamman1967.blogspot.com

"The Martial Arts are in a blissful time warp that traps bands between the 60s and the present day. Equally excellent, check out both "Summer Tweed" and "Finale" to get your daily dose of radiant, sunshiny indiepop." - LOOSE RECORD

“As fortune would have it this album landed with me a matter of days after I narrowly missed seeing them live. A shame really as this is a thoroughbred collection of quality guitar driven pop. The production coupled with a generous use of keys - from theremin to synths - keeps the sound fresh making the influences harder to pin down. 'Contemptuous Disdain' is good example that mixes everything up well and even features a hint of ska. Upbeat opener 'Murry & Audree' is reminiscent of 60s beat but could just as easily be pulling from mid seventies Flamin' Groovies. Not that it matters, it’s three and a half minutes of timeless pop. Don’t Want to Talk continues in the same vain. Four songs in and 'Frost' changes tack a bit - a not quite ballad anchored by piano. Straight away 'Mod Val' kicks in and accelerates away as the guitars are reasserted in something of a punk out. 'Summer Tweed' is another stand out bit of tunesmithery from Paul Kelly - California style pop conceived in Northern Europe. Talking of which, this would have probably been my album for the summer months if it was not already pissing October.” - IS THIS MUSIC?

“An enchanting pop explosion” – Lisa Olaison, Sundsvalls Tidning

“The Martial Arts are the creators of this years indie summer” – Arbetarbladet

"Their timeless throwback pop sound is influenced, a by "Partridge & Moulding" (XTC) and "Holsapple & Stamey" (The dB's). It's rare for young bands these days to name such pairs as influences, rarer still to pull off a comparable tune, but Paul Kelly & Co. have succeeded in doing just that. " - 3hive.com

“Amazing melodies....the sky is the limit for The Martial Arts.” – Groove Magazine

“Almost perfect.” - Falu Kuriren, Borlänge Tidning

"The first words on this great album, are also my last - “Listen up to good advice” - listen to The Martial Arts." - Will Campbell, sohostrut.co.uk