Filed under: british, cd review, music | Tags: Arctic Monkeys, brit, british, British Sea Power, indie, Killers, Modest Mouse, music, post-pop, rock, rock music
Sounds Like: The Killers meet the Arctic Monkeys meet Modest Mouse.
The British Sea Power are not your typical rock band. Sure, in recent years they’ve garnered comparison to the Arcade Fire (perhaps unfairly, as they’ve been around longer), but it’s probably more accurate to put them into a category with a band like the Pixies. Still an unfair comparison, and one greater than they can live up to at present, but that’s the point. They are a band that, though currently falling short of the expectations held for them, soldier on and create great, interesting, colorful music. In fact, the band is fond of taking to the stage in vintage military uniforms, though it’s not an ironic scene. Somehow, despite the potted plants and starched army pants, they come off instead as endearing, and their music in the past had served to only increase those feelings. Maybe that was why I had hoped to defend them against the comparisons they seem so bogged down by upon hearing ‘Do You Like Rock Music?’, and after listening to it I have no doubts this CD will garner them a vast audience and success they have yet to experience before. Unfortunately, as occasionally happens with bands trying new things, The British Sea Power made the unfortunate mistake of losing some of the uniqueness that made them so easy to defend in the past. ‘Do You Like Rock Music?’ is an accessible, interesting, well-made album, if a little earnest in the delivery, and the songs are fun, dance worthy rock songs, but they lack the heart of their previous, deeper thinking, soul searching songs. ‘Do You Like Rock Music?’ has the makings of a successful album, and will do the band wonders in gaining them new fans, but to keep them they will need to bring back some of what they have lost beneath newfound producers and editing. Until then, this newest CD will take a back seat to ‘Open Season’ on my playlist.
Standout Tracks:All In it, Waving Flags, Atom, Everybody Must Be Saved
Best Played: while bouncing around your room or car with your best buds.
Current Resume: The Decline of the British Sea Power (2003), Open Season (2005), Krankenhaus? – EP (2007), Do You Like Rock Music? (2008)
Recommended research: Remember Me (off 2003’s The Decline of the British Sea Power), Please Stand Up, To Get to Sleep, Oh Larsen B (all from 2005’s Open Season)
