Like the others I've jumped on the torrent, but again I've already paid for my copy so let's just chalk this down as a 'customer preview' eh?
For those of you who don't have the album but don't want to read the rest of this drunken, flu-ridden tripe, here's the Cliff Notes version of the following review:
Fucking
yes!
For the rest of you, here we go:
Rooting for the Bad Guy: A steaming opener, riffs and screaming vocals aplenty combined with the kind of glorious chorus that made us fall in love with this band in the first place. The song is nine minutes of trouser-engorging savagery with a completely- unexpected-yet-oh-so-right section in waltz time. Also has the best line of the album in "I wanted Thunderbirds kentucky fried'. Nice!
The Sweetest Song: Well you don't need me to tell you about about this one, only now the beeps are gone. Please remove all small children in a five-mile radius before playing
The Revolution Will Be Televised: Totally with the 'I Fought the Law'/latter-day SLF comparisons. The whole song sounds very Clash actually, even down to Ginger borrowing the line 'standing at the gates of the west' from Mick Jones. A great track, definitely one for a singalong come the gigs (You never know, maybe the boys'll finally get to play Australia so I can join in!)
The New Flesh: Great choice for single. The verses sound a lot like 'This Bed's On Fire', albeit harder and dirtier. Another chorus that'll loiter in your head more stubbornly than a 300-pound squatter in a mansion.
Slaughtered Authors: Great opening intro: like the double-tracked bass. Another in the great tradition of anti-music industry screeds, heavy as fuck with thrilling time changes and another soaring chorus. Channels old-school Metallica in the mid-section better than Metallica did in '86.
The Hard Way: Ahh... riffing!
A stomping hard rocker that by the end reveals its creamy Willie Nelson-esque core (Almost said Status Quo, but didn't want to get hit...). Fucking beautiful work!
Inner City Overture: My first thought on hearing this was, 'It's like 1995 all over again, in the best way possible'. A keening slow-paced tune that could've been on PHUQ (Very reminiscent of 'Give the Girl A Gun' actually). Great song with some gorgeous harmonies.
Bi-Polar Baby: Having recently broken up with a girl who wasn't exactly, erm, mentally straight and narrow herself, I loved this tune. A full-blooded melodic rocker with great lyrics.
She's All That: Good song, but definitely the weak link of the album. Would love to hear Cheap Trick have a bash at this one actually.
Destroy All Monsters: The lads end the record in punishing style, as a quiet opening gets quickly shoved away by sheer metallic frenzy. An awesome closer that proved that the 'Hearts could take on any modern metal band on the planet, and show them up as the quasi-goth posers that they are.
There you go. sorry i couldn't go into more detail as I'm a bit rushed (Got lots of writing on tonight) but rest assured - the album is fucking IMMENSE. In a few short days, everyone's grin will be as big as mine right now.
EDIT: I've gone and posted this in the wrong thread, haven't I? Aw knobcakes. I blame illness, drunkenness and the sheer energizing power of rock
Posted: 19th Apr 07, 21:54
