Review:

on 2011-03-28 CharlesMartel Said:

It doesn't take long before you can identify the band's musical influences. Draper has managed to all-but-perfect the infamous Liam Gallagher sneer. Okay, it is delivered with an American accent as he still hasn't got the Mank accent right. Not surprisingly, a number of the tracks sound like Oasis from their earlier years. Interestingly, and I am quite sure it is deliberate.

The first track "Regretfully Yours" begins and ends with the piano sequence to "Let It Be" as if, in recognising the band's own debt to Oasis, they recognise Oasis's debt to the Beatles. Whether this particular act of double homage (or vicarious homage, if you prefer) was intentional, I do not know. But it certainly carries with it a message of sorts.

In one sense, the music here is something of an anachronism. The Oasis era the band reference was the Oasis of the Britpop years, especially that infamous and somewhat puerile Battle of the Bands which the radio stations here in the UK hyped up (following the record labels' leads of course). So to hear something from 2007 referencing something from 1995, which in turn is frequently said to reference something from 1969 is more than a little odd. But in no way could this be considered out-and-out retro. The band bring their own edge to the table, and that is an edge from this decade, not ones which had gone before hand. They are not an Oasis clone: they just seem to have taken Oasis's old clothes out of the cupboard and, finding they fit, worn them in their own style. It reminds me of a taunt myself and housemates used to level at one of our number and his dress sense. We would ask him if he was wearing his clothes seriously or ironically. Well, the answer, in this case, would be seriously - albeit with a measure of tongue-in-cheekness thrown in for good measure.

I guess the comparison with Oasis will put a lot of people off. Anti-Oasisism is a common feature among those who feel they are more hip than the rest of us. Yet to write this album off for that alone is to do the album an injustice. For a start, the vocals are stronger here than anything Oasis ever did. "I Don't Like Your Book" and "If Tomorrow Never Comes" demonstrate that there is more to Draper's voice than the influences might initially imply. These are lyrically strong songs well sung. To my mind the strongest track is "Guess I'm Lucky" which sounds as if it has a strong autobiographical element to it coming out in the empathy with which the vocals are delivered.

Yet having said all that, there is nothing here which is really outstanding, but nothing which would make you want to switch off. The songs do not stick around in the head for a long time but the album has enough interest to make you want to listen to it more often. A little bit more originality wouldn't go amiss - but then people say that about Oasis too.

And besides, this was an album which was self-produced and released by an acquaintence. Any burgeoning talent deserves to be encouraged and I hope the band produce some more material for us all to enjoy. I for one shall await the moment with keen anticipation.
Rating: 6/10