Birmingham Boys Fall Short on Debut
Following on from their debut single 'The Train', pop duo Adventure Club release their debut album 'Wilderness Music'. Hailing from Birmingham, the duo of Oliver Williams and Ryan Davis have known each other from the age of thirteen and have gigged together in various incarnations ever since. With this in mind, you would expect their music to be polished and instrumentally tight, and it's testament to their musical ability that all the instruments and programming are performed by just the two of them.
Citing Pulp, Suede and early Roxy Music as major influences, there is a clear nod towards classic British pop and this certainly comes across in the music. Debut single 'The Train' is a prime example, with its uplifting chorus that certainly catches the ear and, I would imagine, would certainly provoke a sing-along live.
One of the albums highlights has to be 'Dust Blown Round'. Opening with a delightful mandolin and drums combination and tender vocals that form the backbone of the song, although unfortunately there is a heavily distorted guitar riff that just doesn't seem to fit and just sounds a little ugly, which is a terrible shame.
Other highlights include 'Bang', a much more upbeat offering that provides some variation, 'Werewolf' with its country-esque banjo and tambourines and a lovely piano melody in the chorus, and excellent album closer 'Dozy Lips'. This ballad is made all the more poignant by the use of atmospheric effects, creating a more expansive sound.
There is, however, a feeling that things become a little too monotonous with this album. The songs are pleasant on the ear, but there isn't anything that really hooks you in, nothing memorable that begs to be played over and over. Once a song has finished, it's forgotten. One possible cause of this is the vocals, which are all well and good, but feel bland and don't convey any emotion, meaning they feel almost hollow and uninspiring and become overly familiar.
'Wilderness Music' certainly has its moments, and is indeed a pleasant listen. However, on the whole it's a very placid affair lacking the emotion, excitement and, more importantly, the hooks to appeal to a mass audience.