the get up kids - guilt show
the lp starts off with a standard par for the course radio punk pop track that initially raises the heckles as i have heard this type of stuff far far too much over recent years, but, fear not hang on in there and things improve somewhat, unless sum41 copyists are your aural expectations.
for others this quintets 4th album has the well toured band honing their talents to the creation of a fine set of short sharp melodic punk pop songs with edges of humour, emotion, and even some instrumental variety.
'the one you want', 'wouldn't believe it' are both power pop excelsis. following the recent fountains of wayne appearance into the charts given the right chance/filmic tie-in who knows, these kids may have a hit album on their hands. matthew pryors has a vocal style that recalls squeeze's classics ('never be alone' is a total squeeze-athon), whereas 'holy roman' has over the top grandiose supergrass glam sounding guitars/pianos .. both tracks showing the heritage and genre ancestors that have formed the roots of these songs.
the rest of the album continues, there are parts that are welcome distractions, the mad layered shoegazing guitar section during 'sick in her skin' is way too short, but, shows that the band are capable of moving away from the school yard, if only they could do it a little more often. as it is, the high quality power pop standards are maintained throughout, though the euphoric mood does dip towards the end with the darkly titled 'is there a way out' an epic 6 and half minutes that despite its sombre reflective emotions is a very special track actually, damn those piano/effect layered guitars/plinky plonky sounds ..
ok .. the album aint going to change my life, but its a fine addition to my power pop play lists. all in al, good stuff, and who am i to ask for more?