++ALBUM++ review by Mat Beal
Mat Beal gives us his judgement on the forthcoming Futureheads record, for which the band went sans record label. Will he be impressed by their bravery? Here's a clue: no.
In the world of books, if an author publishes her own work it’s called “vanity publishing”, which is generally sneered at by the wealthy, brandy-swilling aesthetes who work in that industry.
By way of contrast, if a band releases its own record, that is called “punk rock” and maybe even a “revolution against the music industry”. That’s the route The Futureheads have decided to go down for their third album, This Is Not The World.
Otherwise, though, it’s pretty much business as usual: the band have stuck to their formula of melodic, jerky post-punk, as heralded by singles 'The Beginning Of The Twist' and 'Radio Heart'.
This Is Not The World has been produced by Youth of the punk band Killing Joke (whose credits also include PM Dawn), and it has to be said he’s done a bang-up job: the sound is impressively punchy and in-your-face.
Despite this, sadly, the album as a whole is, well, dull. With a couple of exceptions ('Broke Up The Time', 'Work Is Never Done'), the songs are executed energetically and with flair, but ultimately fall flat. It’s a bit like watching an excellent production of a terrible play.
For all the dark machinations of the crapulent music industry, perhaps it does give bands the time to come up with ideas rather than filling in tax returns. Or whatever it is record labels do all day.
Illustration: Simon Brader of Lo-Tec
++ Mat Beal ++
Artrocker rating: 2
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