For a city so enthused by blackness, it seems odd that Melbourne’s indie-alternative bands have not produced more music of this driving darkness.

But The Dead Leaves fill that hole nicely and first single If The Shoe Fits is slick, but there’s an elephant in the room.

The band compares its sound to Joy Division and Band Of Horses — apt enough — but they ignore the most obvious comparison: They sound exactly like The National.

Which is fine, but after a year of high exposure and tours, even fans of The National have had suffice of their baritone vocals.

There is respite: guest artists Emma Louise (Changing) and, in particular, Gin Wigmore (This Living) add spark to an otherwise classy, but uninspiring, debut.

RATING: ★★★

IN SHORT: Dark