Razorlight
Razorlight


2.5
average

Review

by DaveyBoy EMERITUS
November 13th, 2008 | 29 replies


Release Date: 2006 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Passable, but so sterile and G rated that even your grandmother may like it. To quote the band themselves: “In the morning, you know you won’t remember a thing”.

Following on from Razorlight’s likeable but flawed debut ‘Up All Night’, it was always going to be interesting to see how the apparently ego-driven Johnny Borrell and his bunch of merry Swedes were going to distinguish themselves from the Brit-Pop Post-Punk pack. Surprisingly, the method they have chosen is to attempt to appeal to practically every age bracket imaginable. This album is so G rated that even your grandmother may like it!

The initial effect is a positive one as opener and 1st single ‘In The Morning’ is a hooky cut full of jangly guitars and a positive vibe. Catchier than anything on their debut, it is what the band seem to have targeted their sound at for this album and even the repetitive ending used to pad the song out works well. Unfortunately, it is pretty much all downhill from here as this is the album’s standout track.

On further reflection, maybe Razorlight did not attempt to appeal to everyone. Maybe they were targeting mainstream America, as the 2 other highlights are suspiciously titled ‘America’ and ‘Los Angeles Waltz’. Even Borrell’s thick accent is clearly toned down on this self-titled follow-up. Second single ‘America’ is one which many will dismiss as mainstream radio fodder, but in truth it is a memorable and appealing tune which deserves recognition. Meanwhile, the closing ‘Los Angeles Waltz’ is most impressive musically, while also containing effective vocals. For once, Razorlight are able to perform a well over 4 minute track without having to resort to some kind of gimmicky technique to pad the song out.

Unfortunately, that is arguably it for this album’s highlights and the remaining 7 tracks pretty much all have the same feel to them, without being anything too awful. They are dated mid-tempo pop-rock songs that sound reminiscent to something you would have heard from the late 60’s or early 70’s. While there are some nice harmonies included, the pattern is monotonous and even any attempt to add variation (the repetitive one-note piano loop in ‘Who Needs Love’ or some vocal swagger on the bouncy 5th single ‘Hold On’) either comes off as shallow or simply just fails.

In fact, you get the feeling that the effectiveness of these tracks depends on their placement in the ordering as ‘Pop Song 2006’ and ‘Kirbys House’ fall flattest simply because they come after the rest of the mediocrity. To that end, I suppose the penultimate ‘Back To The Start’ is worthy of some positive mention due to its reggae-infused feel that just may have made this album passable as a whole.

The best way to sum this LP up in one word is “sterile”. That adjective is usually used to describe an album that is over-produced and that isn’t necessarily the case here. It is just that this album is devoid of emotion, excitement and energy. Even when Borrell utters the F-Bomb in the final track, it sounds as if it is a fake attempt at some kind of emotion and comes off as if he is just saying any other word in the dictionary.

While the opening ‘In The Morning’ may well be the best track here, two separate lines of it’s lyrics prove rather ironic in summing up this album perfectly. Firstly, the song begins with “I don't know what I'm doing wrong, maybe I've been here too long. The songs on the radio sound the same…” before making it’s way to the chorus of “In the morning, you know you won't remember a thing”. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Recommended Tracks: In The Morning, America & Los Angeles Waltz.



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Comments:Add a Comment 
Auldy
November 13th 2008


350 Comments


good review as usual

but do you think that if you ever meet up with Borrell or Razorlight in general that their gonna kick ur head in? lol. Hope not haha, but still.

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
November 13th 2008


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Thanks AULDY.

Nah, if Pete Doherty can take Borrell, then I can handle him easily. Haha. Seriously, you know what the strange thing is? Despite the only average ratings I have given Razorlight's 3 albums, I sort of consider myself a fan of theirs. I suppose it's more disappointment since I really do think they have a fair amount of potential.

Auldy
November 13th 2008


350 Comments


yeah...i agree

they could be good. But through in action and doing the media thing a bit to much its like "well, heres our new album, we couldnt really be bothered, its got one or two good tracks but...i kissed Amy Winehouse and did cocaine of her bathroom floor and tried to cure leprosy".

Same with Pete Doherty really, he is a 'twat' but he has a musical head...he just doesnt use it, fills it up with drugs n booze and then releases jack shit.

AtavanHalen
November 13th 2008


17919 Comments


yeah not getting on the dancefloor with this one

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
November 13th 2008


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

"well, heres our new album, we couldnt really be bothered, its got one or two good tracks but..."

That could have made a good summary AULDY. Although, it still needs a grandmother reference! LOL.

DavID, who unbanned you? Haha. Oh &... GT ONTHUH DUUUUUUUUUUUNCEFLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRR

N RIPPP IT UPPPP YERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR



Auldy
November 13th 2008


350 Comments


revised Borrell comment:

"Well heres our new album, we recorded it in my grandmas house to give it a rustic vibe, and then mixed it in a pet store to give it a fluffy, animal like tone. Then I kissed Amy Winehouse and did cocaine of her bathroom floor. But all in all heres our new album, we couldnt really be bothered, its got one or two good tracks, I'm off to have sex whilst dressed up as Jesus"

Auldy
November 13th 2008


350 Comments


whats next on you review schedule?

AtavanHalen
November 13th 2008


17919 Comments


DavID, who unbanned you?

Your mum.
whats next on you review schedule?

My mum.

Auldy
November 13th 2008


350 Comments


ohh...i love her work

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
November 13th 2008


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Triple LOL... This is Comedy Central right here & we're The 3 Stooges!

DavID, that comeback gets top marks... As for your mum, she doesn't get top marks!

And AULDY, whose mum's work do you love? Or have you come around to grandmothers... "to give a rustic vibe"?

AtavanHalen
November 13th 2008


17919 Comments


slut

Auldy
November 13th 2008


350 Comments


ahahahaha....ummm

both mums...epic threesome

the grandmas come in for sloppy seconds. Wait...no...thats way to far...they can stay home. Please.

rasputin
November 13th 2008


14968 Comments


DaveyBoy, no lies, you're a fucking review monster. Are you at uni/school? Where do you find the time?

AtavanHalen
November 13th 2008


17919 Comments


I reckon he does them at work inbetween making paper airplanes and saving up for that Sputnikmusic tattoo.

Auldy
November 13th 2008


350 Comments


speakin of reviews....when are u doing urs of 'Hourly, Daily' AtavanHalen. Im putting one up next
thursday unless urs goes up before hand

wait nevermind...just saw ur new list u posted...I retract thatThis Message Edited On 11.13.08

AtavanHalen
November 13th 2008


17919 Comments


These things take time.

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
November 13th 2008


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

AULDY, to answer your previous question about what's next up on my reviewing schedule, I was thinking T-Pain, Beyonce & From First To Last... Totally random selections of course! :-)

RASPUTIN, I won't quit until I catch you on number of reviews mate! ;-) Nah, I've been there & done that with school & uni man. Working 9-5 now and yeah, some of the reviewing coincidentally occurs between those very same hours!

AtavanHalen
November 13th 2008


17919 Comments


Working 9-5

WHAT A WAY TO MAKE A LIVIN'

Fugue
November 13th 2008


7371 Comments


Good review for a bland album, Johnny Borrell annoys me, he's such a pretentious ****.

Bleak123
November 13th 2008


1900 Comments


word



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