Review

Angelas Dish - War on Time

25.04.2008 | Cam | 0 Comments

Genre: Indie/Rock/Pop
For Fans Of: Stealing O’Neal, After The Fall, Kisschasy
Favourite Songs: Soft November, All in the Stars, Hollow
Running Time:
Year: 2008
Website Link: http://www.angelasdish.com
Myspace Link: http://www.myspace.com/angelasdish

Score: 80

The debut album from these four Gosford lads is indeed a toe-tapper and a must for any young Indie/Rock fan

REVIEW.

There is something about these four lads from Gosford, New South Wales that I just adore. Maybe it’s my secret fetish for poppy hooks and charming looking front men but amidst all the harsh reviews this album is getting I actually quite enjoyed it.

It is an album you really have to spin a few times to learn the dips, riffs and lyrics to really enjoy and pick up on all the little things that you may not have in the beginning. In terms of technicality there is nothing strictly bad about this album although I can see where others have developed the notion that it is rather bland and heavy on the pop and commercial sensibilities.

The first single off the album Soft November that opens with this addictive driving groove that directs you to this memorable chorus that sees me singing into a hair brush as I imagine myself up on stage, rocking out the microphone stand to a screaming audience. This melody is certain to stick in your head for days but not in a Kylie Minogue ‘Can’t get you out of my head kill me now’ way but a sickly sweet pop track that is guaranteed to annoy those around you but leaves you feeling humble and tapping along. (Also the film clip is a must see; cite underwater gigging)

One of my favourites is track 10, Hollow. Some serious passion and thought has been put into this track and it is the most personal of all the 12. Everything from the melody to the vocals tips this song as the best produced and it almost seems as though it belongs on a different album, a more mature, older type of record that deals with a different deeper subject matter.

It’s clear the band are in it for the long haul, creating a strong debut album that developed from a much sharper, rockier edge in their past EP releases to this more mature sound. The subject matter may be light and airy and the lyrics can often seem pointless and throw away with central themes of girls and the baggage they bring of heart break and desperation, the way the songwriters connect with personal relationships, and other content often explored by young artists. However, there are some rare moments of genius that leave the listener in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, almost waiting to explore the motive behind the songs.

The songwriting team of brothers Michael and Joshua Harris may only be in its formative stages, but the young duo have already made it clear that they have the ear and heart for melodies and song structures far beyond their years of experience.

The one thing that does worry me is because of the good looks, soft sounds and soulful licks it will come with a frighteningly large hoard of dedicated under age fans. In doing so the band will have trouble breaking into a new click when they release their next album which I believe will be more developed in a harder rock sound and the prominent direction the band is heading into if their live act has anything to do with it.

CONCLUSION.

War on Time isn’t about singles or short lived fandom; it quite simply is an introduction for the young band. It’s the type of CD that gets better each listen and every song stands alone. This punchy pop record is only the beginning and a warm up for their amazing live shows.