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Review |
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The Chemists finally release their debut album ‘Theories
Of Dr Lovelock’ on Monday, but to me the release
of the album seems as relevant as the release of
yet another Michael Jackson best of compilation
album which is bundled with the same tracks as the
compilation album they put out last year but just
featured in a slightly different running order,
now if you have been following The Chemists from
right at the start then you will understand where
I am coming from as the band have been releasing
new singles every two months for the past twelve
months now with most of the singles featuring various
different b-sides and remix songs and these previously
released songs make up over 3 quarters of the band’s
debut 14 track album, which makes you wonder why
you have had to wait so long to buy an album that
features tracks that you have heard many months
over.
Despite the above, the album is actually well
put together and features some top songs; it opens
with a short spoken word introduction which is
actually done by the famous actor Richard E Grant,
this runs for over 34 seconds and blasts straight
into the first main track ‘This City’
a song which tells the story of what happens when
drugs and drink meet jet lag and hookers in Hong
Kong, which is a situation that front man Johnny
Been experienced firsthand, the song is a bit
of a tub-thumper with its nifty guitar riffs,
constant epic drumming and upbeat yet rocky vocals
from Mr Benn himself.
Some of the highlights of the album are the singles
that the band have previously released such as
the recently released single ‘Milk And Honey’
a catchy song which tales the tale of a man who
can’t understand why his girlfriend has
left him as he things that he is the perfect guy
in every way, ‘A Love Like No-One Else’
is a well loved song by myself for its electronic
driven catchy Killers influenced sound which shows
a totally different side of The Chemists from
any other track on the album.
If you want to hear the band at their aggressive
best then you really need to hear ‘A Bit
Of Education’ the song is full of sheer
anger and built of aggression with Mr Benn chanting
along fiercely for the huge chorus.
Some of the previously un heard of tracks do
seem to be a bit pointless, and what I mean by
that is the tracks that haven’t yet been
released as a single such as ‘Waiting’,
the track is just over 2minutes long and features
various different soundscapes and drowsy vocals
to give an overall depressive sound, the song
doesn’t go anyway and just seems like a
pointless filler, luckily ‘To Die For’
the song that is on straight after picks up the
pace and gives the band back the kudos they lost
with the previous song.
Now I never thought The Chemists would ever be
able to shock me and I also never put them down
as big Britney Spears fans but it seems like I
was wrong on both accounts as the last track of
the album is a cover of Britney Spears ‘Toxic’,
now many people will laugh before they even hear
the song and they will probably carry on laughing
after they have heard the song but in all honesty
I have heard worst, at least The Chemists have
managed to turn one of Britney Spears poppy-dance
numbers into a melodic rock and roll song and
they have done it in style, just be prepared to
be shocked to start with.
‘Theories Of Dr Lovelock’ is a real
strong sounding album as mentioned above, it does
feature many killer songs and it also features
a few fillers but just don’t expect the
album to feature too many hidden gems if you have
already heard the bands singles as the only other
song that really kicks arse is ‘A Bit Of
Education’.
The Chemists are defiantly a band to keep your
eye on, I just really hope they have polished
up on their live stage show as when I watched
them last November supporting feeder they came
across very bland on stage, which disappointed
me after enjoying them so much on record, but
I’m sure in a year they have improved a
lot and their recent support slot on the Skunk
Anansie tour will confirm if they have or haven’t.
4/5
Review by Trigger |
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| Band
Members |
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Johnny Benn (Vocals)
Sam James (Lead Guitar)
Wayne Jones (Bass)
Dave Betts (Rhythm Guitar)
Matt Albon (Drums). |
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| Track
Listing |
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1. Intro
2. This City
3. Milk And Honey
4. A Love Like No-one Else
5. Radio Booth (Album Version)
6. Hear Our Song
7. Something For The Weekend
8. Waiting
9. To Die For
10. Tazmanian Devil
11. Hot in That
12. A Bit Of Education
13. Outro
14. Toxic |
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| Band
Related Links |
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| Review
Score Code |
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- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
-
What Was That? |
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