Liar Liar
Who’s buying this music? Someone must be as bands like this keep forming…. Super cheesy power-pop-rock such as this could only come from the States.
After years of playing together, Liars Academy went on something of a hiatus. During their time apart, they were all writing new songs. Upon meeting to decide on the fate of the band, they shared this new material. Feeling it was the best stuff they'd done yet, the band reformed and this album, "Demons" is the result.
The fact that they were writing individually is quite evident. The songs are all coming from completely different backgrounds making every track quite different from the last. Personally, I think that this is a good thing. I couldn't have beared to listen to an entire album of Nickelback like power-ballads as in the case of opening track "Microtron". In fact, such does their sound swerve from one musical genre to another, that by "The Accountant", I am utterly impressed by a genuine chart gem. If ever there was a single on this album, this is it! A divine union of punk vocals, indie guitar, a too-cool-for-school bass riff and somehow managing to balance that all with a slightly commercial edge that'll see all those pop-bunnies out there saving their pocket-money to buy the single.
After I've listened to this album a few times, I really enjoy the fact that it veers from one style to another. However, this may be the band's downfall. How do you define them? And where is the album gonna be situated in the music store? Pop? Punk? Rock? Indie?! "Demons" demonstrates a real versatility in these musicians, but I can't help but feel that it comes across as a band that has yet to find it's 'sound'. This may disappoint their listeners. If you buy an album expecting US style, super-produced pop-rock and then stumble across the screaming punk/metal vocals at the start of "Demon", you'll either be completely offended or totally confused.
The lack of unification between songs only serves to addle the listener. If you're a fan of Avril Lavigne, you'll probably like tracks like "Microtron" and "Dying As Fast As I CAn". Having said that, "Ghosts of Baltimore" and "Breathing" might have you reaching for the off-switch or a sick-bucket, sounding positively "wet" in contrast. Then again, the very excellent "The Accountant" will probably ruffle the feathers of those Aerosmith or Nickelback fans, appealing more to the audience of someone like Blur.
I'm not sure if Liars Academy have written something for everyone, or everything for no one in particular.....Who'd ever thought diversity could be such a problem?