I hadn't heard anything about London boy's Rev78 so when I received the album, I had no expectations at all. Luckily for me, there was a press release with it to make them sound very exciting and perhaps even hyped them up a teeny bit too much. 'Music made for Arena's' was one quote - do I believe the press release? Surely the press don't lie?
Despite the press release being a little bit too desperate to keep you reading, it did it's job of making me want to listen to the album. I was very intrigued as to just whether I would be hearing Rev78 in an arena any time soon.
After hearing the opening track 'Killing Me', I was surprised to be thinking to myself that I could actually see myself rocking along to this in an arena somewhere. A superb opening track, reminiscent of early Killers material. A belting opener to what I hoped would keep up the potential.
Second track 'Old Fashioned' carries on the good sound with a slightly more laid back, but with a cracking chorus making sure you won't be forgetting it any time soon. The next track doesn't keep up with the same potential as the first two tunes but certainly doesn't sound out of place.
However, 'Us against Them All' is perhaps the best song on the album, it certainly is lyric wise and if you're not moving your feet in some sort of rhythm to this...you're not human.
So, to sum up, the first four songs are genuinely great. Unfortunately for them, Dr Jekyll kicks in for the second half of the album, and stops it from being a brilliant debut album to just being a good one.
The second half of the album is nowhere near as good as the first, and it's a great shame. I'm not saying they're bad songs by any stretch of the imagination, 'Lullaby' is very listenable - the lead singer's style really adds to the song - however the tracks just don't have the same kick.
Perhaps I was just waiting to hear another tune that was 'made for an arena'. I'm disappointed that I didn't, however there is certainly enough potential for a brilliant second album. More of the first half of this and less of the second and with a bit of luck, they could well end up playing arena's at some point. I'll certainly be looking out for it.
Album Rating: 6/10
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After hearing the opening track 'Killing Me', I was surprised to be thinking to myself that I could actually see myself rocking along to this in an arena somewhere. A superb opening track, reminiscent of early Killers material. A belting opener to what I hoped would keep up the potential.
