It’s been an interesting last few years to say the least for every skater boy’s favourite post-South Wales metrosexual hardcore band.
They’ve been pelted off stage at rock festivals by metalheads who have taken exception to their pretty boy looks and been accused of selling their souls to the corporate machine by their elitist fanbase who make Placebo’s seem relatively chirpy in comparison.
The band’s second album, 2004’s Start Something, was a direct response to their critics, addressing the hypocrisy while dipping their toes in the American emo scene. The album introduced them to a wider audience, resulting in their first top ten UK hit in the form of ‘Last Train Home’.
Their latest album, Liberation Transmission, was produced by Metallica’s go to man Bob Rock. Surely the well groomed Welsh outfit haven’t gone and recorded a real pedal to the metal album full of male testosterone and animalistic grunts?
They say:
The Observer: “"Welsh pop metallists add a sweet edge to their furious racket.”
Virgin: “Like Simple Plan, their alliance with angsty teenagers seems a little cynical.”
We say:
Elitists be warned. This is Lostprophets’ most radio friendly album yet, alternating between sugar coated faux metal and power pop all wrapped up in a glossy sheen.
This is music made with the sole intent of selling as many copies as possible. Perhaps their fans’ criticism was warranted after all.
True, there is some great tunes here buried beneath the polished production, such as ‘Everyday Combat’ which is a reminder of what fine musicians Lostprophets can be, a cacophony of surprise cock rock guitar and primal screams hammered into glorious melodic shape and then rounded off with a hostile outro.
‘Can’t Catch Tomorrow’, meanwhile, has elements of third wave ska pop in the mould of Tragic Kingdom-era No Doubt, while ‘A Town Called Hypocrisy’ once again finds the band taking aim at their detractors.
But overall this is the sound of a band pandering to the mainstream. ‘Everybody’s Screaming’ is a potentially visceral piece of guitar noise betrayed by generic “Whoa-oh!” punk dope chants, ‘Broken Hearts…’ is a soulless mess, and ‘For All These Times Son…’ is weighed down by a singalong chorus that just doesn’t gel with the preceding verses.
The biggest sinner of all, though, is ‘Can’t Stop, Gotta Date with Hate’, an embarrassment for all concerned which wouldn’t sound out of place in the Busted back catalogue.
Lostprophets wanted to make an album that would set the world on fire, but all they have done is hand their critics more ammo. Hopefully their reflexes are good. They’re going to need them come festival time.
Like this? Try these:
Good Charlotte – The Young and the Hopeless
Blink-182 – Blink-182
Green Day – Dookie
RELEASED
26th June
LABEL
Visible Noise
POSTED...
Thu 22 Jun 2006 at 12:14am
