This UK rock band's sophomore album demonstrates the group's maturation artistically as it melds existing power riffs, drums, and bass lines to claps, shakers, Beach Boys-styled harmonies, and evolved lyrics. Tracks "Return of the Berserker" and "Cope" offer hard, pogo-worthy punk rock. Singer Barry Hyde's shouting vocals admonishing Go home/think about it properly on opener "Yes/No" forecast a highly introspective album where each track documents the nervousness about change that plagues most rock stars early in their careers. Even the reflective title track, which mourns the 1958 Munich air crash that claimed the lives of 23 Manchester United soccer players, staff, and reporters returning from a winning game in Belgrade, seems to suggest the band's own fear of a similarly early end. Not if this album is any indication.
Contact the author of this piece, send a letter to the editor, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Latest in CD Reviews
Author Archives
-
Gary Numan
Jagged
- Apr 5, 2006
-
Ray Davies
Other People's Lives
- Mar 1, 2006
- More»
Blogs
News - October 26, 4:00 AM
Monday's Briefing: Winds gusts of 58 mph in Oakland; Downed power lines and trees in the East Bay
News - October 22, 3:09 PM
Oakland Police Respond to Stand-off/ Hostage Situation
News - October 22, 4:00 AM
Thursday's Briefing: BART is facing major budget cuts starting next year; Indoor dining returns on Friday
News - October 21, 1:32 PM
Alameda County supervisors move to clean house, fire health system trustees
