But with a matter of days to go before their long-awaited debut album Hats Off To The Buskers is released to a salivating public, the cynics can put their fire extinguishers away because The View look like being on fire for a little while longer.

An unforgettable 2006 spawning countless gigs and two hit singles has created a momentum that reaches its first big test with the release of their album to the expectant ears of the waiting world and let Grapevine assure you that it doesn’t disappoint.

Kieran, Kyle, Pete and Steve have produced a stellar debut with legendary producer Owen Morris at the helm. Althought Hats Off To The Buskers doesn’t reach the dizzy heights of iconic debuts such as Definitely Maybe or the Monkey magic of last year, the feelgood factor surrounding The View is well and truly captured here.

This is a solid debut that ticks all the boxes, Morris has done a good job of transferring the band’s extraordinary live energy into the studio, but at times it feels as though he makes them sound almost too good.

The occasional haphazard nature of their live sound and overwhelming sense of being boys in a gang is occasionally guilty of not showing up. While opening track Comin’ Down roars with intent, the razor sharp intensity witnessed in the demo version seems to have subsided and the ending loops and fades, sounding almost too contrived.

But there’s not really time to linger on any negative thoughts as the gloriously anthemic nod to The Libertines kicks-off with Superstar Tradesman closely followed by the harmonica driven sound of new single Same Jeans.

This is a Dundee album, though, and emphasises the loyalty The View have to their hometown with lyrics depicting local shops, friends, family and even the Ferry.

Ultimately, there are some superbly hum-along tunes and choruses that stick in your head for weeks, if not months but it has to be said that overall those moments are largely the singles that have been released so far and at fourteen tracks, Hats Off To The Buskers is possibly a bit overlong for a debut.

There’s enough here to suggest that the hype around The View at the moment is justified and you can be sure that in the first six months of 2007 The View are a band that will inspire weeping adulation amongst their growing fanbase.

The View’s debut album Hats Off To The Buskers is released on January 22 with third single Same Jeans released on Monday.

The first Club NME of the year arrives at the Westport Bar next Wednesday with special live guests Underground Heroes.

Boasting a line-up of brothers Aaron and Joe Dollimore, George Penfold and Jak Miller they are labelmates of The View on the increasingly influential 1965 Records.

Playing gritty, grimey punk and singing about their chavvy mates and nights out, Underground Heroes wear their hearts and influences on their sleeves with references to The Clash, The Jam and The Specials all emerging through their music.

During the past year the Heroes have had a huge amount of success playing gigs at various summer music festivals, playing Ibiza Rocks with The View and finishing it at the Astoria with their favourite Dundee band.

Their first official releases Alright Darlin and Stella The Mistress received widespread acclaim and featured a nod to the City of Discovery with B-Side Lost In Dundee.

Support for the latest Club NME show comes from Fife rocker’s Sergeant and local favourites Rush Hour Soul, with resident DJs The Wasted Little DJs on hand.

Doors open at 8pm with advance tickets costing £4, or £5 on the door.