Album Review: New Rhodes – Everybody Loves A Scene
Of late I’ve been moving away from my music-nerd position, preferring to go for more of a “if it sounds good, listen and write about it”. This has led us to write about some pretty mainstream stuff, which may have turned a few readers away, but may well have bought a few more of you in.
We turned out (snow covered) ears to New Rhodes‘ second album, Everybody Loves a Scene last night. Love your indie pop? Like a guitar hook that would be able to catch the ear of even the most seasoned music listener? Well, this could well be an album for you to catch a listen to.
Perfectly formed 3 minute slices of pop that would be far better on the radio than anything the Pigeon Detectives ever have done. Think angular guitars and epic choruses and you’re halfway there. It sounds like everything you’ve heard before, but in a good sorta way. Combine Kaiser Chiefs, Panic at the Disco and Editors with a touch of every pop-punk band going and you’re almost there.
After opening with “Everybody loves a Scene”, (possibly the best tune on the album), they set a blinding pace to do 11 tracks in 41 minutes. However, once you’ve heard the first track they all start to sound the same. You have that moment of “haven’t we heard this one before?”, however you don’t switch off – it’s quite nice to listen to the whole album, letting it wash over you. Each of the tracks seems to be all chorus, no verse. You’ll be humming the tune, but won’t be singing along.
However, this isn’t to say it’s rubbish. No, not at all. It’s perfectly good intelligent pretty-boy power pop / indie pop / whatever the cool kids call it these days stuff. Nice to have on in the background, but not my first pick if I had a Bloc Party or Delays or Frank Turner album to hand.
Catch the MP3 of their free digital single below, and the video to their new single below that. Fun.
MP3: New Rhodes – Everybody Loves A Scene
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFjFRW4rmFw]
Video: The Joys of Finding and Losing That Girl
New Rhodes’ new album, Everybody Loves A Scene is out on 23rd February on Salty Cat Records. New single “The Joys of Finding and Losing That Girl” is out today. Top photo is taken by Hannah Stanton, the side one by Sonia Melot.
One Response
9th February 2009
Although I’ve been finding this new wave of ‘pretty-boy’ music a little sickening, it is refreshing to hear English accents for once. Yeah I’d agree with you that the band isn’t great, more sort of background music for a party before everyone starts drinking (if you get what I mean)