A wise man once said: "A band has their whole lives to write their first album, but only six months to write their second." Or something along those lines. Anyway, that might be true, but it does not appear to be a philosophy that the Klaxons have followed. After releasing their debut album 'Myths of the Near Future' to huge success and a number of awards, including the highly respected Mercury prize, the London-based three-piece chose to take some time over their next offering, only to have it famously rejected by their record company two years later.
In somewhat of a hurry at this point, the Klaxons got together with American rock/ metal producer Ross Robinson to make their follow-up album 'Surfing the Void'. Although the inclusion of Robinson, who has previously worked with Korn and Slipknot, may seem like an odd choice for an English dance-punk band, it may be just what the group need to escape the "New Rave" label that has hung over them for the past three years. Now, finally, 'Surfing the Void' has hit our stores and iStores, just in time for the Klaxons' headlining sets at this month's Reading and Leeds festivals. But is it here in time to save the band from the looming threat of obscurity? That may well depend on the album's content.
From the moment the album begins, to the sound of recent single 'Echoes' with its recognisably chilled and atmospheric quality, it is clear that the Klaxons have chosen not to stray too far from 'Myths of the Near Future'. Songs such as 'Venusia', 'Twin Flames' and the album's title track use the same blend of space-age synths, fuzzy basslines and dancey vocal melodies that fans will remember from the group's debut.
Producer Robinson's assistance is most noticeable on tracks like 'Extra Astronomical', 'Flashover' and album closer 'Cypherspeed', which are closest to resembling anything similar to his previous work. The dark, grinding guitar riffs could almost be something by the aforementioned heavy rockers Korn, were it not for the addition of the Klaxons' own electronic-influenced style. However, one can't help but feel that the band are being pushed further from New Rave and closer towards Nu Metal as the distorted rock sounds take hold.
Fortunately for the Klaxons, it seems that 'Surfing the Void' has shown up just in time to recapture any of the fading appeal that the group had previously earned from 'Myths of the Near Future'. Ross Robinson has not only helped them towards reaching this deadline, but also to add that little something to the band's sound that would have otherwise gone stale. What the album lacks, however, is the inclusion of such anthems as 'Gravity's Rainbow' and 'Atlantis to Interzone', which were among the reasons that have prevented people from forgetting the Klaxons in the first place. Anyway, there is enough good material here to keep the Klaxons going for now, but one suggestion might be for them to be a little less tardy next time around.
Stereoboard Rating: 6/10
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From the moment the album begins, to the sound of recent single 'Echoes' with its recognisably chilled and atmospheric quality, it is clear that the Klaxons have chosen not to stray too far from 'Myths of the Near Future'. Songs such as 'Venusia', 'Twin Flames' and the album's title track use the same blend of space-age synths, fuzzy basslines and dancey vocal melodies that fans will remember from the group's debut.
