Generally speaking 'angst rock' was a term not used too often in the mid-80s; nowadays it is far more prevalent thanks to the grunge and, less credibly, the hip-hop/rock hybrids of today but back then Easterhouse were one of the few bands who would fit this description. Coming across as a mixture of Johnny Marr's guitar heroics and the anthemic rock mastered by The Chameleons, 'Contenders' is a pretty decent album whose main failing is a production that tends to overpower the tunes that are on this recording. Certainly there's much to enjoy here with 'Out On Your Own' serving as an explosive opener that possesses urgency and intensity in spades; the relentless 'Get Back To Russia' is a simple tune forced home with similar conviction. Unusually the second half of the album has more clarity and has dated better; there are some great moments of Chameleon-like intensity matched with beautiful transcendental passages of guitar as on 'Estates'. In terms of sibling rivalry certainly Ivor Perry's guitar work wins it over brother Andy's foghorn of a voice.