There’s a massive likelihood that this record was sent through to Punktastic too early. For one, Through Colour‘s website (okay, MySpace page) is in ‘transition‘ with no mention of a new release. Secondly, the accompanying press release reveals “the album is due in September”, yet this is only six tracks (hardly album length). Thirdly, the song information imbedded within those six tracks has irregular song numbers. Lastly, facts aside and in real Holmes hunch style, this just doesn’t feel like a complete body of work.
So, let’s begin with what we do know. Through Colour was formerly known as My Turn To Kill. Having cast aside the hardcore roots, and somewhat ostentatious name, the Anglesey quintet has followed in the footsteps of all those fellow Cymry outfits (Lostprophets, The Blackout, Attack! Attack! et al), and put together a pop heavy rock offering. Less post-hardcore, more pop-rock, those Finch and Taking Back Sunday influences may well be on display but they’re neatly tucked into a pair of jelly shoes. ‘All Singing, All Dancing, Baby!’ is exactly that, a sliver of highly polished pop complete with American sounding vocals. Listen closely and there’s even an allusion to Paramore. Yes, it’s a poppy number, that’s for sure.
Plucked from the band’s previous release, ‘Kids of Cancer’ stands out here; it’s a bit more of a meaty offering, heavier but not exactly a screamer. Together with ‘Save Us From Sorrow’ (Alexisonfire, but a little lighter) it harks back to the band, pre-moniker change, and raises an eyebrow to the direction change.
The thing with Through Colour is that the band is drawing it’s chair up to a dinner table already over laden with bands that believe in killer hooks and syrupy sweet approaches, always remembering to throw in that heavier moment. To feast long into the night you have to take something new to that table, or a vial of poison, and, to be frank, the band doesn’t do either. Simply, this is throwaway music, infinitely interchangeable. You just have to look at the recent Punktastic ‘Un-Scene 5’ compilation to realise this. The band has serious contenders on that release.
Still, this is well prepared stuff and has as much chance of snaring new listeners as any of those competitors out there. It needs a little beefing up first though because if this is the finished article it simply won’t cut it.
Alex