Archimedes really doesn't need to watch out...
Having presumably named their band after the infamous Ancient Greek mathematician and scientist, you'd expect Texas six-piece Archimedes, Watch Out to make innovative music that will stay rooted in people's brains for a long time. In Context shows no signs of ingenuity, or potential to remain in people's minds for longer than five minutes.
What About Smee? begins on a fun and punchy note; however, to be blunt, it's quite a disappointing start to the album. Most of the songs follow suit, starting off with a bit of promise, but then after a short while becoming drony and dull. Everybody's Russian, Stranded and Mike Dexter is a Role Model kick off with catchy pop-punk melodies, but there's just nothing distinctive within them that hooks you from start to finish. They quickly become boring, lifeless, and severely lacking in personality.
Thankfully, there are some songs (though they are in a minority), that make the album worth a listen. The soft, melodic Breakable Things and the poppy Bad Tattoos add some colour to the monochrome, but even the cheeky synth mixed in with the crispy pop-punk choruses still don't quite do the trick. The more gripping tracks on the album include the floaty acoustic number Don't Turn Back Now (although sadly, it's barely two minutes long); the sunny Holding out for Hours, and the captivating and catchy Inspired by True Events. Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal injects a little humour into the album, which is exactly what was needed to brighten things up, but the fun is woefully short-lived.
The band's name suggests originality, personality, and quirkiness, but In Context really failed to deliver. It is infectious and lively in places, but it just seems to be missing something. It's like a firework that slowly fizzles out and dies without the colourful explosion.