It’s the album that almost never was. Dropped by Warner sub label 679 Recordings in 2006 following the disappointing sales of sophomore release News and Tributes, post punk revivalists the Futureheads seemed destined to disappear into the music industry wilderness like so many unfortunate contemporaries.
But the Sunderland quartet are a resolute bunch. After receiving the big boot, they pulled themselves together and set up their very own record label Nul Records.
Recorded in Spain with acclaimed producer Youth (Primal Scream, The Verve), This Is Not the World is the band’s first studio album on said DIY label and arrives nearly a year after its announced completion.
They say:
Gigwise: “Punk classic that has single handedly saved the career of one of England’s favourite bands.”
The Guardian: “What begins as an exhilarating return to form turns into a desperate plea to be loved.”
The Independent: “Too much of the album sounds like plastic punk one hit wonders The Vapors.”
We say:
This Is Not the World is a strange one. Revelling in their newfound independence, the Futureheads have crafted lyrics brimming with urgency and intent which ask listeners to live by the seat of their pants while simultaneously giving power hungry capitalists (i.e. major record labels) the one fingered salute.
This fearless, never say die attitude is summed up nicely in ‘The Beginning of the Twist’ (“It’s time to wake up/It’s time to change/Let’s get it started/I fee like there’s so much to rearrange”) and ‘Everything’s Changing Today’.
And yet – somewhat hypocritically – the album sounds remarkably dated and safe, as if the brainchild of suit ‘n’ ties looking to shift the same old trusty product to Consumer Joe at the expense of real, News and Tributes ingenuity.
The four piece band still move at a frantic pace, but their spiky guitars now have a duller edge, their powerful, schizophrenic rhythms now sadly predictable.
So while tracks like ‘Broke Up the Time’ and ‘Radio Heart’ sound nice enough on XFM, they could have come from anyone of the countless ‘80s post punk tribute acts out there. And that’s a huge disappointment because the Futureheads showed so much originality and promise on News and Tributes, despite what 679 Recordings would have you believe.
Like this? Try these:
Gang of Four – Entertainment!
The Jam – In the City
XTC – Black Sea
RELEASED
Out now
LABEL
Nul Records
POSTED...
Tue 27 May at 4:22pm
