Released 12 October 2009

This is the second album from this Irish quintet, but I’m not sure that it signals a much higher level of popularity here in the UK - perhaps with a fair wind and airplay…

‘Buy It Sell It’ opens the album in cracking rock-pop style and reminds me of The Editors. There’s a huge melody, great choruses, good lyrics, wonderful solo and backing vocals, and production that really couldn’t be much better (co-produced by Michael Beinhorn - Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn and Marilyn Manson). The band’s first single is ‘Trust Me I’m A Doctor’ and unfortunately isn’t a patch on the first song. It’s hook-laden but is throw-away, radio-friendly garbage. ‘Money Doesn’t Buy You Class’ is much better with its military drum rhythm, harmonica moments, rabid pace and great vocal harmonies. ‘Fantasy’ has a punky vibe, clever changes of pace varying from a speeding bullet to virtual standstill. The Beach Boys style vocal harmonies lift the song dramatically.

‘Three Cheers For Modern Medecine’ is another pop highlight here and could easily be the next single with its powerful rhythm, monster melody and another set of memorable vocal harmonies. The band has won a couple of Irish Meteor awards as best live band and I would really like to see them reproduce this performance on stage. ‘The Reason’ has an altogether darker vibe complete with Gospel style vocal harmonies, and sweeping solo vocals from leadman Niall Breslin. There’s also a stronge rock vibe with blanket guitar riffs dominant throughout. Not bad. ‘Postcards’ holds the darker ambience in a more reflective bettersweet love song but cheers up a tad in the explosive choruses. ‘Domino Effect’ reminds me of a typical USA teen market band and doesn’t leave its mark.

‘Miss Fantasy Preaches’ ups the stakes slightly, while ‘Silence Is Golden’ is obviously Queen inspired and works pretty well. Final song, ‘Trouble’ is another highlight with its stronger, jagged rock vibe and more excellent, soaring backing vcoals.

Unfortunately the promise shown in the opening track doesn’t fully materialise - three good songs out of eleven just isn’t good enough. This is a frustrating record in that despite the band having the required skills; a wonderful and distinctive sound; the song writing lacks ambition and maturity. I’m also unsure as to which audience the band is aiming their music. In fact it sounds like a record aimed primarily at securing airplay at the mainstream level, and is certainly one of the most radio-friendly records I’ve heard this year. I think this band is capable of going much further, but they have to realise that they could be playing themselves into a generic corner that’s difficult to escape and develop from (despite what BBC Radio 1 & 2 presenters say). Guys, look around you and see what’s coming out of Ireland, and learn…

3/5