Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix (Album Review)
Friday, 02 September 2011
Written by Rhys Morgan
Way back in 2009 anticipation for Bombay Bicycle Club’s debut album reached pretty ridiculous levels. They themselves claimed that it would even better the debut effort from the Arctic Monkeys. On it’s release it did an excellent job of fooling a lot of wannabe hipsters into thinking it was something far better than it truly was (I myself was a wannabe hipster back in 2009). It wasn’t terrible but it lacked a real bite. It didn’t really go anywhere that The Maccabees, Foals or Mystery Jets hadn’t already. And then there’s 2010’s Flaws the indie-folk bastard child bought to us courtesy of the ‘Mumford & Son’s Effect’. But may the past be forgotten and let us welcome 'A Different Kind Of Fix' open armed as it’s a record given to us by a band who have matured, gotten over the folk thing and produced something that brings their sound on leaps and bounds.
As an album whole, it’s 'A Different Kind Of Fix'’s consistency which impresses the most. At 50 minutes it run a little long and seeing as there isn’t so much as on off step in the first eight tracks you wonder if 'Fracture' or 'Favourite Day' really needed to be included. The production has taken a step up and makes every thing just that little crisper added to the ever improving musicianship gives a sound not entirely removed from their debut, but its far enough improved to stand on its own.
It’s still Jack Steadman’s vocals however which make Bombay Bicycle Club such a compelling listen. His tender, rawness reminiscent of, well, nobody, his voice is truly unique. Opener 'How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep' picks up right where we left 'I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose'. Prickly guitars, a danceable bass and constructive percussion are once again BBC’s formula for catchy tunes. To be honest it’s a winning formula throughout. 'Your Eyes' is energetic, although it’s guitar in parts borders on plagiarism (Mystery Jets - 'Young Love'). 'Lights Out, Word’s Gone' is the track of the album, it opens with the subtlest of nods to Friendly Fires before female back vocals come in and give the music it’s never had before; true elegance. 'Shuffle' remains BBC’s flagship on there return to glory. That jilting piano is a great new aspect that has never been utilised before, but is sure to be again.
Unfortunately, the album veers off towards the end, becoming little more than indie swill. There are a few attempts at heart felt, slow paced ballads, 'Fracture' and 'Still', but neither really do anything except feed their own pseudo-pretentiousness. Unlike 'What If' on their debut effort Bombay Bicycle Club haven’t crafted a track to sit towards the closing end that keeps the momentum going. 'What You Want' is a half-hearted attempt at this and the lazy instrumental is inexcusable.
The song writing, musicianship and arrangements have all improved and tracks one to eight are all going in the right direction. Unfortunately the closing four could have the potential to point this album in the same direction as Mystery Jets’ 'Serotonin'; into the desolate land of generic ‘shit’ indie, when in reality that is the last thing it deserves.
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As an album whole, it’s 'A Different Kind Of Fix'’s consistency which impresses the most. At 50 minutes it run a little long and seeing as there isn’t so much as on off step in the first eight tracks you wonder if 'Fracture' or 'Favourite Day' really needed to be included. The production has taken a step up and makes every thing just that little crisper added to the ever improving musicianship gives a sound not entirely removed from their debut, but its far enough improved to stand on its own.
