The band that defines frustration
A few years ago 'promise', 'potential' and 'the next big thing' were words being brandied about following the release of Starsailors 'Alcoholic' single and although they are still successful today, there is a sense that they never fulfilled the expectations that were placed upon them. Now comes The Fallout Trust who at times sound remarkably akin to Starsailor and whose debut album offers so much potential with one hand only to cruelly snatch it away with the other. The London based six piece offer a mixture of harmony drenched pop with illustrious rock blended amongst a melange of strings and piano that is instantly appealing but also regrettably forgettable with the majority of the album failing to have a lasting hold.
Exceptions to the rule do of course exist such as 'When We Are Gone'. An anthemic guitar led rock track, 'When We Are Gone' bursts out of the stereo demanding to be turned up to the max and thrusting The Fallout Trust's potential firmly in your face. Likewise, 'Then Or It' has a rock rawness laden amongst harmonically soaring vocals and a funky ferocious brass ensemble whilst 'Where There's No Cold To Fell' is another forceful rock anthem which displays all the positive qualities of The Fallout Trust and leads to further frustration when other tracks detract from the quality of the album sabotaging it. With an introduction that sounds frightingly like a cross between Razorlight's 'Golden Tough' and The Aeroplanes 'Don't Stop Me', 'Washout' is The Fallout Trust's take on the indie rock genre, one that perhaps they should delve into deeper as the rapid drum beats, swift vocals and sheer vivaciousness of the track make it a sure fire foot tapping success. On another level entirely is 'Take Comfort from Me' which harbours a simplicity and innocence wrapped in a heart wrenching plea that is simply sublime.
With the ability to create tracks that leap out of the stereo it is easy to understand the abundance of potential that The Fallout Trust have. Annoyingly though they fail to maintain any resemblance of a hold on the listener throughout the album. Mingling amongst their amazing stand out tracks are ones that slip to the other end of the scale, transforming a wonderful debut album into merely a mediocre introduction to a band that should be grabbing the attention of every well informed trend setter from the dance floors to the mosh pit taking in the radio on its way.