The Script
Science & Faith


2.5
average

Review

by DaveyBoy EMERITUS
September 14th, 2010 | 162 replies


Release Date: 2010 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The Script stick to the script. Next time, they should ad-lib more.

The term “guilty pleasure” really is a misnomer. Isn’t one guilty of enjoying everything you deem pleasurable? And why should one feel guilty over something they derive pleasure from? Semantics aside, the term usually refers to something a person enjoys which is critically – if not necessarily popularly – derided. If this is the case, then The Script’s self-titled debut LP was a guilty pleasure for almost two million people worldwide! Not bad for a couple of Irish boy-band rejects, who also bided their time by working as engineers and producers in LA. The Script may have appeared to be an overnight success back in 2008, but in truth they were anything but that. And it is this fact which has seen the trio well and truly home in on consolidating their target audience on follow-up LP ‘Science & Faith’… Even if that makes for a rather tired retread of a release.

For those unaware; The Script play pop-rock with a twist. The curve-ball comes in the fusion of styles provided by the band’s greatest strength; lead vocalist Danny O’Donoghue. The front-man has the ability to smoothly transition from brisk verses to soulful choruses in a heartbeat, integrating a contemporary R&B feel into what is essentially straight-forward guitar-driven pop. A good indication of their sound comes in the form of opener ‘You Won’t Feel A Thing’; a cut about overcoming adversity, which owes more than a little to fellow Irishmen U2. Lead single ‘For the First Time’ follows, beginning with sparse acoustics, before moving into more of the same. Most will find both this and infectious highlight ‘If You Ever Come Back’ too corny, but it is the relatable - verging on spoken-word delivery of - narratives such as “drinkin’ on cheap bottles of wine, $hit talkin’ up all night” and “I wish you could give me the cold shoulder. And I wish you could still give me a hard time. And I wish I could still wish it was over” that is The Script’s bread and butter.

If you could not tell from the song titles on ‘Science & Faith’, those aforementioned lyrics should suggest what the dominant theme of the album is; relationship troubles and break-ups… Over and over again… To the point where it simply gets too much and begins to drag the listening experience down. A case could be made that almost all of the songs are fine in isolation (‘Science & Faith’ may even be a touch more consistent than their debut), but it gets rather tiresome as a whole. Not helping matters is the fact that only two of the ten tracks included here are under the four minute mark; usually a no-no when it comes to a pop album. While the latter half of the LP does attempt variety in the form of the Sting-like ‘This = Love’ (which includes a rapped breakdown) and the mish-mash of strings, a hip-hop refrain and the band’s standard pop-rock that is ‘Dead Man Walking’, it comes as too little too late and not entirely convincing anyway.

As previously mentioned, The Script know their target audience and have clearly decided that ‘Science & Faith’ is aimed at those people. The uncertainty of their own future which pushed the band to greater heights on their debut LP is all but gone here, leaving an album full of safe tracks that may well be primed for radio airplay, but lacks the imagination, variety and standouts of its predecessor. If likeable and competent pop-rock full of moderately catchy choruses is what you are after, then look no further than ‘Science & Faith’. However, while the detractors of both the band and the genre as a whole will bellow “I told you so”, The Script have shown they are capable of much better. This is The Script sticking to the script. Next time around, maybe they should ad-lib a little more.

Recommended Tracks: If You Ever Come Back, You Won’t Feel A Thing & This = Love.



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user ratings (158)
2.9
good


Comments:Add a Comment 
DaveyBoy
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Alternate Summary…



The word “SCRIPT” and the “&” symbol; Together in one artist & album title, and looking to crash SputnikMusic to the ground.



Gyromania
September 15th 2010


37468 Comments


Nice track list

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Read my 1st comment Gyro.

Gyromania
September 15th 2010


37468 Comments


Lol, damn I'm always too late to point these things out. Great review though, Davey, I loved your first paragraph. I had no inclination to check this out prior to reading this, so I think I'll just check out your recommended track.

LG
September 15th 2010


3050 Comments


I like the album art...it's unique!

Knott-
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


10260 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

Like most pop albums, the real question here is how this will fare over time. I actually think it will do better in that regard than the debut, but we'll see.

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Thanks Gyro. Careful my 1st reco doesn't get lodged in your head.



Hehe LG. I almost put the Aussie album art up, which is their 3 heads... So be thankful for 2 hands.



I actually agree on your genera; rule there Adam... But obviously disagree on how this will hold up over time. Only 'If You Ever Come Back' will remain in my head me thinks.

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Having said all that, this is probably a 2.7 for me (even if the review doesn't read anywhere near a 3).



As for my guess as to the eventual average rating on this site, I think it may even get lower than 2.5.

Curse.
September 15th 2010


8079 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I actually liked their debut quite a bit more than I probably should have so I will check this out

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Ditto... Many did... It's just that there is only a few of us who are strong enough to admit it.

Sowing
Moderator
September 15th 2010


44509 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

i hope this is better than their self-titled...

Digging: Halsey - The Great Impersonator

Curse.
September 15th 2010


8079 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I have it at a 3.5, as you do, so i am guessing this new album will end up as a 3 when I get around to listening to it.

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

If you didn't like their self-titled SS, stay right away.



Yeah, you will probably 3 it on first listen curseworship. I did. But listening to this more & more (for reviewing purposes) dragged the rating down. Even knott has already lowered his original 4 rating to a 3.5.

tiesthatbind
September 15th 2010


7441 Comments


Good review, didn't like their s/t apart from the singles, so I'm staying away from this.

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Yeah, this is not rocky enough for you ttb.

tiesthatbind
September 15th 2010


7441 Comments


I still like Breakeven. I doubt there's anything near as good as that on this, though.

Sowing
Moderator
September 15th 2010


44509 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

the man who can't be moved is their best song IMO

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

And I like 'We Cry'... That's the thing about their debut, different songs appealed to different people and it worked out really well. I don't think that is the case with this follow-up.

STOP SHOUTING!
September 15th 2010


791 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

space confuses me.



i thought intro was a bit laboured db.

DaveyBoy
Emeritus
September 15th 2010


22503 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Most intros are laboured, but I like to educate (read: preach).



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