This release is being marketed as an album, but really it’s an EP. That’s what a six track is right?
The first track is a fucking belter, mixing Sing The Sorrow era AFI, the Killers ‘Somebody Told Me’ and a bit of later Lostprophets. It’s catchy, fast and fills you with hope that this might be quite the 6 track – No Boys In The Ballroom is a snappy little song but it’s where the magic falters.
The AFI comparisons don’t stop there mind, because Davey Havok lends some vocals and Jade Puget produces. And just like AFI, after a solidly exciting entrance…. they take an awkward direction which soon gets tiring and ends up with you just sticking the first track on repeat thinking about what could have been. Fancy Blood, the title track, is just a bit dull and whilst the chorus is melodic enough its an instantly forgettable song. Mr Sinister sounds like Hot Hot Heat if they were a bit rubbish, and swapped their singer for a drunk Davey Havok – a really drunk Davey Havok.
Business Colours is inoffensive enough, but again it’s radio rock that just wouldn’t be considered good enough to get any radio play. Naomi is amazing simply because it’s pretty much the quiet/loud angry song Adam Sandler sings in the Wedding Singer. As soon as the verse starts all you can here is Adam Sandler crooning. It’s unfortunate because the chorus is fun enough to make a bit of an impression – why did they pick Naomi as the lead single? Fuck knows, it’s the worst song on offer here certainly.
Final track The Sky And I struggles under the weight of forced backing vocals – how do you crowbar Davey Havok into your song? Get him to sing all over the top! Shit ending.
Basically, this is a solid little radio rock record with some great production, some brilliant percussion and a few good moments. I don’t think there’s enough here for repeated listens, in fact you’ll probably only ever listen to the opening track after a second complete play through – but that song is awesome at least, and whilst the EP would otherwise get 2 stars, No Boys In The Ballroom earns a solid star on its own.
Kieran