The dense thicket of UK "lad rock" bands like Razorlight and Kaiser Chiefs has made it tough to sort out who's worth a second listen and who's just coasting on sound and attitude. Dundee, Scotland's The View runs about half and half on Hats Off To The Buskers, but that good half is legitimately exciting, marrying the requisite jaunty guitar hooks to witty lyrics about the sort of layabouts who "watch Trainspotting 15 times a week." To the growing pile of instant-classic lad-rock singles, add The View's "Skag Trendy," a fresh, frenzied sing-along that slows down twice over the course of its three minutes, to give everyone a chance to take another drink.
A.V. Club Rating: B
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