"Under Friendly Fire"
(Self Released)
nine / ten
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HOPE IS NOISE "Under Friendly Fire" (Self Released)
nine / ten |
Veterans to the stage, Cork's Hope Is Noise newest long player entitled 'Under Friendly Fire' has just been released, and if you're a fan, or couldn't be too bothered to care... this album is surprising in every sense of the word. From the moment you press play you're engaged, and from the moment it kicks in, you're hooked.
I've been a fan of Hope Is Noise quite a while. Their first album 'Applaud Friends... The Comedy Is Over' was released in mid 2007 to much critical acclaim. With such hits and personal favourites as 'Lions Led By Donkeys', 'Subtitles' and 'Two Gods Short Of My Trinity', it's always a tricky little issue and worry if the next album will have the same success or more of its predecessor.
Fortunately 'Under Friendly Fire' has reinvented the band, in a good way, but without losing the charm they've always had. Produced once again by Ciaran O'Shea (ex Cycle Fly), this 10 track album sounds crudely polished - you can hear the maturity of the song writers, but with out hearing the million dollar studio. I like that!
To me the solid pounding drums in this album makes it. With its two opening tracks 'Peace & Quiet' and 'You, The World And A Bubble', we hear a more louder, full on and angrier side to the band, but as we come into the 3rd track; 'Speaking Over You', we hear that old melodic sound, very similar to the songs of their first album.
The more I hear this album over and over, I try to put myself in the shoes of someone who has never heard them and see what would they think of them... the conclusion I believe this imaginary person would come to is "God, I'd love to see these guys live!".
This album has attitude. Their hard hitting and playing, accompanied with emotional epic riffs and well thought lyrics, seem to grab you by the balls. Some great shouting too. Not screaming, shouting... Shouting makes you want to hear it more, it makes you want to shout along! It also isn't over saturated by shouting, it is well balanced and textured by harmonies from guest backing vocals from Carola Murphy (sometimes you really do need a chicks vocals in song - it can make it or break it).
There is no wanking about with these songs, straight to the point, straight to get the desired effect with a few nice strategically placed audio clips from films... I hear a lot similarities to Foo Fighters, The Special Goodness and Jimmy Eat World, and vocals at times sound a little like Mike Stipe!
I love every track in their own little way, and I love my noise, but the ender 'Our Failing Species' is sublime. Very Radiohead-esque from their Kid A days mixed with Sigur Ros-ish sounds.
By far, one of my favourite albums of the year - although I must admit I didn't think it when I first heard it, but then I realised I way singing every song in my head for days upon days... I love it.
"this is not good bye, it's just good night"
CHECK OUT THE FEATURE ARTICLE ON HOPE IS NOISE IN ISSUE FIVE OF CRUDE MAGAZINE - OUT NOW!
Shane Serrano
www.myspace.com/hopeisnoise
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