What happened to Lower Than Atlantis? They were a fairly shouty band teetering on the heavier end of the scene kid spectrum, but they came back from a short break as a pop rock powerhouse, churning out chart hits for the masses. The Black Edition is an extended version of their previously released self-titled album, so not all of it is new material, but there’s a few treats thrown in for fans.
If it’s single worthy smash hits you’re after, you’re in the right place. ‘Words Don’t Come So Easily’ sounds like Fall Out Boy are their best and ‘Emily’, a girl who a lot of bands seem to write songs about, is simple, chord filled, and fun.
‘English Kids In America’ is a cracking song with a bouncy chorus and toe-tapping singalongs. Radio favourite ‘Criminal’ is full of strings that contrast with the dark guitars and the fierce vocals of lead singer Mike Duce. The album was packed full of hits to begin with, we know that, so what about the additional material? How good can a bunch of covers be?
Really good apparently. We’d never have guessed the guys are Robbie Williams fans, but the band have covered his hit ‘Strong’ brilliantly. Originally released in 1998, when a lot of us were still at school, their update makes a classic sound fresh and young, taking on a much more alternative style.
A live lounge cover, ‘Real Love’ by Jess Glynne, is a little shrill at times but ends up sounding like a 90s dance tune mixed with the funk of Oxford indie guys Foals. Nico & Vinz’s ‘Am I Wrong isn’t half as good as the original but the addition of a female vocals switches up the sound of the album.
‘A Thousand Miles’ (Vanessa Carlton) is the gem you’d always look for on a Punk Goes Pop record: it’s got all the twinkly pianos of the old version with an inevitably rockier edge. Interesting to hear it from a male point of view too.
Aside from the covers and old tracks, new release ‘Get Over It’ is a belter. ‘The Reason’ isn’t as good, and sounds a lot like that Take That song ‘Shine’ (yep, you know the one) in places, but it definitely sounds like a Lower Than Atlantis song, so it’ll please fans well enough.
Lower Than Atlantis: The Black Edition isn’t going to inspire anyone new to head to an LTA show but, for pre-existing fans, it’s 27 tracks of acoustic versions, bonus singles, covers and hits that deserve a listen or ten.
KATHRYN BLACK