Album Details

• Artist: Sprockets
• Album: Medicated Empty
• Label: Blynd Pheasant Entertainment
• Year of Release: 2009
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: archelon on 2009-09-19

Sprockets have, in making this sophomore release, managed to do what we all most want from an indie band - they've stayed true to themselves, integrated what each member wants for the record, and made it for their own ends. They are lucky in that they have the sort of hard-edged rock sound that is capable of capturing the attention of all sorts of music fans, and this will hopefully stand them in good stead for their future. They also make a fabulous noise for a three-piece.

The mood of the album is mostly one of energetic displeasure, exploding into anger for a few moments and dipping down into quiet, simmering desperation at others. It also manages to be both emo, punky and even sometimes beautiful, in the space of one record. That said however, they do fall into some of the classic traps - the smarter lyrics are sometimes masked very effectively by an emo delivery or too many layers of sound, and some of the riffs are a little... well, standard.

There's obviously musicianship at work here, and they are 'doing it for themselves' which is admirable. But a little more experimentation wouldn't go amiss - I find myself wondering whether the results of such a venture would be more like the title track, which is a very excellent rock tune, or 'Flood Lights' which also hits all the right spots. Give it a go, lads - what's the worst that could happen?

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