Type: Album
Genre(s): Indietronica, Indie Rock
From: England, London
Release: August 21, 2008
Producer(s): Jacknife Lee & Paul Epworth
This record is quite consistent in terms of production. Excluding the vocals on Zephyrus, there is never a point when this aspect of the album leaves much to be desired. Moreover, the compositions and performances are quite hit-or-miss, leaving enjoyability up in the air and on a case-to-case, track-to-tack basis. This largely applies to the lyrical side as well, with some songs being noticeably more heartfelt than others.
Another glaring problem of this record is tracklisting, with the bonus outshining a lot of the cuts that did make it to the original tracklist. Nevertheless, there are definitely parts of this record that are worth saving and mentioning, regardless of the inconsistency.
•Mid-High 6•
Highlights: Halo, Trojan Horse, Talons, Letter to My Son.
Lowlifes: Biko, One Month Off.
Track-by-track review
Ares (the name for the Greek god of war) is a gigantic ruckus and an ode to disaster; with a sparkle of sensitivity and hope in the bridge. Instrumentally… it’s a mess — and that is as much of a statement for its enjoyability as to its lack of it. In other words, it is both its appeal and a pitfall it falls into due to how over-the-top it is.
High 6.
Mercury lyrically explores not being able to take love seriously, as well as some more emotional chaos. The instrumental is another disaster, although not to such a large extent. The brass arrangements towards the end are fittingly chaotic and enjoyable, but it’s still not a fantastic cut.
Low 6.
Halo is comparatively clean instrumentally; much less chaos, but it remains very enjoyable. It is a lyrical highlight as well, with a very nice expression of a first spark that could lead to love and/or passion. Love it.
Low-Mid 8.
Biko (meaning “dear” in Igbo) is an okay track that deals with hard-to-swallow themes like cancer and having to deal with the death of a friend. Instrumentally, there are honestly almost no redeemable qualities and most of the composition rubs me the wrong way due to how bland the in-your-face “sadness” is.
Mid 5.
Trojan Horse is, at first, a fine song. Lyrically, it’s a simple albeit amicable exploration about things going stale in a relationship, and the instrumental is also fitting and memorable… BUT that is not all this song has, as that solo and bridge are absolutely perfect with their almost visual action-packed energy.
Low-Mid 8.
Signs explores denial after someone’s death. It’s —lyrically— one of the best points on the album; but unfortunately, that isn’t saying much. The glockenspiel, mbira, and electronics mixture make for an instrumental that is not all that evocative, although the bridge with the falsetto is nice.
Low 6.
One Month Off is an extremely middle-of-the-road track from the perspective of someone that was cheated on and is now angry… also, the instrumental is predictable and boring. Additionally, the key change towards the end is a painfully cheesy one.
Low 5.
Zephyrus has some references to greek mythology, and it was described by Kele Okereke as an apology to a lover because he was always away on tour. Although lyrically it pans out in terms of themes, it’s not very moving. The instrumental doesn’t evoke much either — it’s disappointingly forgettable and is one of the cases in which the drumming leaves a lot to be desired. However, the gospel-like choruses are quite a nice addition, but Kele Okereke’s vocals on the other hand sound weirdly metallic and don’t fit all that well with the rest of the performances.
High 6.
Better Than Heaven seems to be from the perspective of someone using religion to sexually coerce someone. It has a good structure and, honestly, a great breakdown. Additionally, the chorus is also quite an energetic and memorable one. On the other hand, the verses are comparably weaker, and the drums are again quite tame although more fitting than previously.
Mid 7.
Ion Square explores the seemingly endless state of a relationship when everything is stable — it also seems to be a desperate attempt at not wanting a relationship to end… and it has a bit of a cheesy chorus. Aside from this, the instrumental is quite enveloping, and the constant buildup eventually becomes quite grandiose; although not to a hugely commendable extent.
Low 7.
Talons is a bonus track and won’t affect scoring. It seems to be about someone attempting to avoid STDs as well as touching on the fear-mongering associated with them. “When it comes it will feel like a kiss” alludes to it coming from a pleasurable act that becomes a massive regret later on. It also boasts one of the stronger instrumentals and hooks on the album.
Low 8.
Letter to My Son is a bonus track and won’t affect scoring. This track has really nice and immersive production, making for an overall quite strong instrumental. Lyrically, it’s an emotive message in the form of a letter from an absent father to his son’s mother. Moreover, the acoustic guitar and real drumset are used quite well in order to complement an already compelling composition with a neat riff.
Low 8.
Your Visits Are Getting Shorter is a bonus track and won’t affect scoring. It is a song about a dying relationship with good lyricism, simple as. More specifically, they are evocative and relatable except for the ‘come find me when you’re done with other boys’ disposition. Instrumentally, it is a pretty enjoyable dance tune with nice drums and a fine chorus.
High 7.