Senses Fail – Still Searching

Having not been at all impressed with the bands debut full length release ‘Let It Enfold You’, I decided to give the band the benefit of the doubt and see what they had come up with this time around. There has been a clear improvement here and although at times you can almost pinpoint the exact second at which the band will unleash another scream, it’s actually a fairly interesting album to listen to. There is a lot less screaming here than there was before and although some screaming is still evident – it would seem that the band have decided to opt for a more melodic approach this time around and I think that they have made a smart move in doing so. Screaming is no longer at the forefront of the bands sound, taking a backseat in favour of allowing the band to show that they can in fact sing songs properly from start to finish and do it well. ‘Still Searching’ is by no means the most exciting album to have emerged from 2006, however at the same time it’s far from being amongst the most disappointing of efforts of the year and should well please fans of the melodic hardcore genre. If you thought the bands debut album was good then you will no doubt love this one at it is far greater an album that its predecessor.

The album starts off well with ‘The Rapture’, a track which sets the mood nicely by introducing us to the bands new, more melodic sound. This isn’t the strongest of openings you possibly could have asked for and is by no means what I would consider to be one of the best tracks on the album however it is a decent offering nonetheless in which at no point do the band digress into the screaming world of old. It is in track two, ‘Bonecrusher’ however where the band start to come alive and step it up a gear, showing some strong guitar work, fine vocals, and powerful drum beats. For this album the band entered the studio with a new guitarist in the form of Heath Saraceno and this certainly shows in the bands sound which has clearly changed since their 2004 debut. I think the addition of the ex Midtown man has been an extremely positive change for the band as they certainly seem far more well adjusted in what they are doing with their music now.

There are some really strong moments on this album and although there are also a few weak points; I would suggest that the good outweighs the bad here meaning that ‘Still Searching’ is an album well worth having in your collection. Tracks such as ‘Calling All Cars’ and ‘To All The Crowded Rooms’ really show the bands ability to pen a fine track and show that they are more than capable of recording a catchy song that is exciting to listen to and really captures your attention with strong lyrics, some creative licks, and an impressive vocal styling. You therefore have to question just what they were thinking with ‘Let It Enfold You’ which really was a sub-standard offering, when this album shows that they are actually a good band and are in possession of great musical ability and talent. I think it all does come back to the addition of Heath Saraceno as this album really does have a different feel about it to their last and has far superior guitar work and musicianship in general. ‘To All The Crowded Rooms’ sees the band screaming, however it is not just screaming for the sake of it and actually works well in the track, something which they did not seem to have mastered with their last offering.

Whilst once considered by me to be a generic outfit with very little to offer, Senses Fail have more than shown their worth with ‘Still Searching’, and although it is unlikely to ever become one of my favourites it does provide strong evidence that the band are good at what they do even if a little predictable at times. I think we are still yet to hear the best from Senses Fail, however with this second album they certainly seem to have come on in leaps and bounds and definitely prove themselves to be a decent band with some strong ideas which is more than I could say of them at the time of release of ‘Let It Enfold You’. Senses Fail have certainly grown in maturity and have therefore released a far more competent offering which although has its questionable moments, it does show that the band have a talent for what they do and could well become one of the leading names in the scene should they continue to progress at such a rate and carry on progressing as a band as I feel they can. This album will by no means be everyone’s idea of a good record, however they have shown great signs of progression as a band here and should be applauded for this if nothing else.

Label: Vagrant
Release Date: 23rd October 2006

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James Morrison – The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore

James Morrison has to date released two great singles in the form of ‘You Give Me Something’, and ‘Wonderful World’ – both of which have exceptionally well crafted choruses and toe tapping beats. ‘The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore’ is what I would consider to be the weakest link in this trilogy of single releases, a track with little to no entertainment value whatsoever. ‘The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore’ is a dull ballad in which the issue of facing up to the factor of a relationship no longer working is explored. While previous offerings have been catchy and highly playable, this one is far slower and really does not show off his ability to be able to power out his vocals. He has an incredibly strong voice yet that is really not portrayed here and I think that this is a great shame. When the chorus comes you get the distinct impression that he is holding back with his vocal power, sounding strained and unnatural. Obviously he doesn’t want to get labelled as a one trick pony and needs to show a bit of diversity in his releases, however releasing bland offerings isn’t likely to get you anywhere.

One thing is for sure and that is that James Morrison does have talent as this has been shown in his previous two offerings, however here he just doesn’t seem to hit the spot for me. Sure songs don’t need to have a fast pace in order to be good tracks, but I just feel that this track lacks any sense of character and is therefore somewhat of a lacklustre effort. There is no denying the talent of James Morrison, but whoever penned this one in to be the next single released made a massive mistake as far as I’m concerned as I just cant see it ever being a success.

Label: Polydor
Release Date: 18th December 2006

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Lil Chris – Gettin’ Enough

Lil Chris emerged in late September with his breakthrough single ‘Checkin’ It Out ‘ having been involved in Gene Simmons Channel 4 programme ‘Rock School’ some months earlier, and is now back again with another great single ‘Gettin’ Enough’. As with his previous single, this new offering is another infectious gem of a pop rock song which you’ll be wanting to listen to again and again. Like him or loathe him; there’s no denying that his songs are incredibly catchy (even if in this instance The Buzzcocks ‘Ever Fallen in Love?’ chorus is basically stolen and slightly reworded but we wont hold that against him).

After the release of ‘Checkin’ It Out’, I was doubtful as to whether or not Lil Chris could do it again and follow up with such a spectacularly catchy track, however he has more than managed to do so with this one. With a chilled out Ska riff to boot, and one of the catchiest choruses you are likely to hear this year, ‘Gettin’ Enough’ really is a great track and is unlikely to be coming out of your playlist (or mine at least) for a good few months yet. Although sexually promiscuous lyrics being sung by a lad that only looks/sounds about 12 years old may seem a bit wrong, it is more amusing than anything else and given that the little guy is now 16 – and who’s to say he shouldn’t have lyrics such as ‘Are you getting enough with someone? Are you getting enough enough to satisfy you, and maybe you are that someone I’ll be getting enough with’ if he so wishes. Lyrics of this nature are unlikely to offend, and there will always be a market for songs about love/lust, so this coupled with the familiar chorus lead me to believe that this one has been carefully considered and chosen as the second single. Given its subject matter, familiarity of the chorus and its catchiness, ‘Gettin’ Enough’ is sure to have mass appeal and should perform well come Sunday. It’s not going to make Christmas Number One, but I am sure it will have a lasting impression on the charts nonetheless.

Lil Chris music is inoffensive pop music at it’s finest and he really does seem to have an ear for a good track having now released two of the catchiest singles I have heard in a long time. Although there will be some that wont like to hear it, I think that Lil Chris is going to be around for a good while yet as if he can continue to produce tracks as good as this and the last one then he is definitely onto a winner. It’s not the most intelligently crafted of tracks ever, nor does it have deep and meaningful lyrics however one thing is for sure and that is that this is a great pop song.

Label: RCA
Release Date: 11th December 2006

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D.monic – Bleed Alone

D.monic are a grunge metal band from Enfield, North London and have been in existence since 2000, which is quite commendable in this day and age with bands splitting up left, right and centre. Given the length of time that the band have now been together, you may well have come across them at some stage and if you have done then I am sure that you will have been impressed.

The band clearly have an eye for penning a good song and have certainly shown this in ‘Bleed Alone’, a track which packs a fine punch complete with hefty guitar hooks, striking vocals and some spectacular drum work. When this track begins it is clear that we are in for a treat as after an attention grabbing drum intro we are introduced to some great guitar work and then some superb vocals which sets the mood nicely for this outstanding track. It’s hard to say what it is about this one which makes it so special, but the track just works really well meaning that once it finishes playing for a first time, you’ll be wanting to play it over and over again. ‘Bleed Alone’ is a track with great longevity and playability, and is sure to put a smile on the face of most.

It is clear that D.monic will be going far as a band if this track is anything to go by as they obviously have a talent for what they do and are doing it well. It is only a matter of time before this band get themselves noticed and I will definitely be looking out for them in future as I am sure that they will continue to better themselves and should all being well go on to achieve great things. ‘Bleed Alone’ is a sensational track with an infectious nature which will leave it etched into your brain for months to come, and believe me; this is no bad thing.

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