The Computers - This Is The Computers (Album Review)
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Written by Abby Fletcher
2011 is shaping up to be a brilliant year in the world of alternative music. Where the mainstream is littered with countless meaningless dance tracks, all of which instruct their listeners to ‘hit the flo’ or ‘feel that 808’, elsewhere albums much like ‘This is the Computers’ are appearing.
From many, a sigh of relief has been heard, that the amount of bands with floppy hair singing in a whiny voice about their failures in love is decreasing at a satisfying rate. The Computers are certainly a breath of fresh air and from the Hawaii 5-0-esque drum roll on album opener ‘Where Do I Fit In?’ the energy of The Computers’ second full length draws you in.
The combination of hardcore screamo and the punchy garage vibe reminiscent of the Strokes’ early days oddly works and many tracks on the album could easily become indie dance floor favourites
The twelve bar blues ‘Rhythm Revue’ sounds like a drunk Chuck Berry dowsed in kerosene, on fire, a theme pretty consistent throughout. The bands influence of old school rock and roll shines through on each of the eleven songs, not one of them breaking the three minute mark, meaning the whole album is over in less than half an hour. Despite its incredibly short run time, it has to be said that in some areas the LP gets a little repetitive. It’s hard to see any evolution of the band from their full length debut ‘You Can’t Hide From The Computers’ released three years ago. It does get hard to notice when one song ends and the next begins as the Computers are so lodged in their musical style.
Having said that, there are some definite highlights; ‘Cinco de Mayo’ does have a slight Spanish flare setting it apart from the other tracks, and closing track ‘Music is dead’ has so much energy you can’t help but mimic its catchy drum fills. Ultimately the track also captures a feeling of many today; the Computers may fall down slightly at their lack of variation in this album, but it makes a change from the whiny ‘would anybody care if I died’ and certainly flicks an effective ‘V’ to Will.i.am’s army of ‘flo’hitters’. Kudos.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
The combination of hardcore screamo and the punchy garage vibe reminiscent of the Strokes’ early days oddly works and many tracks on the album could easily become indie dance floor favourites 
