POP MUSIC REVIEW : Youthful Fire From Milltowns

What a difference a stage makes.

On the Milltown Brothers’ recent debut album, “Slinky,” the young English quintet makes bright guitar-pop marked by traces of the Byrds and Elvis Costello. It’s good stuff, but undistinguished among the raft of other new British guitar-pop bands.

At the Whisky on Tuesday, the band did distinguish itself by simply displaying some youthful fire. At best, especially on the song “Which Way Should I Jump?” (which was repeated in the encore), the Milltowns almost resembled a young Graham Parker & the Rumour, minus the soul roots.

The band shares the Rumour’s instrumental makeup, with Barney James’ organ as important as Simon Nelson’s occasionally stinging guitar. There was also some sting in the showing of singer Matt Nelson, who at his peak spat out his lyrics and furiously shook his hands in the air for emphasis.

The key difference is that where “Jump?” is addressed to a woman, Parker used to ask such questions bitterly, daringly, while staring down God. It’s that kind of chip on the shoulder that the Milltowns need in order to give their songs a sharp edge and driving force. There were some hints though: Before nearly half the songs in the hourlong set, Matt Nelson dryly but cheekily declared, “This is our favorite song.” That’s the right idea.