The Blackout
Now, calling your second album ‘The Best In Town’ might be seen as a little bit arrogant from a band who are still trying to carve a name for themselves in the music industry, but for now, for the sake of argument, we’ll go with it.
To be honest, I know there’s been a lot of buzz around The Blackout of the past year or so, mainly due to those folk over at Kerrang! Magazine trying to find something to write about, and the fact that singer Sean Smith has [very] blonde hair seems to be enough to get them into the mag week after week.
I’m always pretty wary of bands who are championed again and again by the very same industry that strive to make something that the emo bandwagon kids might sit up and take notice of, rather than just listening to it because it’s ‘cool.’
To be honest, The Blackout are the epitome of cool, so I technically shouldn’t like this album, but for some reason, it’s been on repeat on my iTunes, and in my car ever since it arrived in the office. Weird, I know.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say (you might want to sit down for this) but The Best In Town might have even found itself into my list of the top ten albums of 2009 so far! Why? Because it just works, from the euphoric Top Of The World and Silent (When We Speak) to the broody Children Of The Night - no, not the chivvy dance anthem from the 1990’s - the album is riddled with huge choruses, infectious guitar hooks, and the odd serenading vocal.
What’s more - and here’s where the Kerrang! Readers can really wave their limp wrists in the air - Josh Franceschi of You Me At Six fame provides guest vocals on This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things; which, if you love that, you need to get your hands on Failsafe’s latest album - eat your heart out Franceschi.
Overall though, an epic album from the six Welsh lads - you’ve done your country proud. Horray!
Find out what happened when Madina Lake has a go at The Blackout Interview here.
Rating: 5/5 - Proven they’re more than just a band with a hot singer.
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