Bound For The Big Time
The Splendour have been billed as "the next Kaiser Chiefs" by a writer for Q Magazine and their cool indie rock with chunky riffs does recall the Northern wonders and could perhaps see them taking over the new Britpop crown. The Splendour's music sounds less in your face than that of the Kaisers with a few more subtle complexities working their way into the mix and sharp ska beats that will be caught in your ears forever more.
Opener 'Put Me Into Bed' is on fire, it packs sunny vocal harmonies, bolshy guitar riffs, shimmying rhythms and a feisty chorus into a pop wonder that cries out for radio play. Razor sharp beats, blustering percussion and vocal harmonies drive the majority of tunes on 'Best Way To Make Money'.
There's a very British charisma to the record with the odd insouciant whistle creeping in and plenty of lazy indie that evokes The Libertines with a firm fix of rowdy guitars fired up their derriere. 'Language of a Lady's jaunty chorus with the pretty line, "Be there when the winter light shines across your face from eastern skies" followed by a bruising onslaught of lithe guitar is particularly reminiscent of Doherty's ex-gang.
'Audio' has already featured as "One To Watch" on Kerrang! Radio and is a loud, frantic slice of forceful rock, while 'One Finger' has a more mechanical swing to its fractious rhythm and vocals that run up and down quirky scales. The rock tunes are pretty unrelenting until, 'Missus', a subtle, breezy ballad with soothing qualities. 'Anytime' and 'Deli' are a mixture of ska-like rhythms and laddish rock about ladies. While the album is packed with highly commercial rock that does have a distinctive character, it also begins to sound a little samey by the time you're over half way through the 13 tracks. The tunes all bear a racing rhythmic swing and energetic, bubbly feel, which helps to lure the listener and is certain to gain them success, even though it may be a little too much for the discerning music fan.