Album Review
The Chemists - Theories Of Dr LovelockThe Chemists – Theories Of Dr Lovelock

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
 Band Members
The Chemists
Johnny Benn (Vocals)
Sam James (Lead Guitar)
Wayne Jones (Bass)
Dave Betts (Rhythm Guitar)
Matt Albon (Drums).
 Track Listing
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
 Band Related Links
The Chemists Myspace
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?