Therapy? - Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing (Single Review)
Friday, 20 January 2012
Written by Dave Ball
Despite the belief of some that Therapy?’s career began and ended with 1994’s Mercury nominated ‘Troublegum’, Therapy? are now entering their 23rd year in the business with the Irish trio due to release a thirteenth album on 6th February 2012. Their first release on new label Blast Records, ‘A Brief Crack Of Light’, is described as ‘a dark, unsettling compendium of 21st century schizoid noise’. The lead single from the album ‘Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing’ will precede the album, released on 23rd January 2012 and it’s really quite good.
Kicking off with a blast of scuzzy riffs and thundering rhythm immediately makes you aware you’re listening to Therapy?, the track announces itself to you in a way that forces you to listen to more. The melancholic, distorted vocal during the verses talks of experiencing ‘time as a terrible ache’, while the clanging drums have you unconsciously nodding along on the very first listen. This is what’s made Therapy? stand out from many of their peers, the ability to write undeniably heavy, often thrashy music while blending in hooks that keep you coming back for more.
The slow building verses launch into crashing choruses and by the time you come to the end your mumbling along to yourself the already familiar chorus refrain ‘windows shatter and alarm bells ring, I’m living in the shadow of the terrible thing’.
It’s the bass that brings the whole thing together. The constant rolling sound of it drags you deeper and deeper into the track and perfectly complements the signature guitar sound. Vocalist and lead guitarist Andy Cairns describes the track as “chunky, groovy, tough and melodic” summing it up in a far shorter manner than I am. This is classic Therapy? and it’s a welcome sound.
Anyone looking for a hit single is likely to be disappointed but that’s not what Therapy? are, or ever have been about. 'Troublegum' was always something of a glorious accident in many ways and this track displays all the swagger and confidence of a band writing music for themselves rather than trying to write hits. Several other bands who started off in a similar vein and have drifted into pop mediocrity could take note, I’m looking at you Biffy Clyro….
If you already like Therapy? you’ll no doubt love this but I would also urge anyone who forgot about them once the 90’s disappeared to invest some time in their more recent work, you won’t be disappointed.
Anyone who’s yet to experience Therapy? live has the chance this April when they hit five cities across the UK along with ragga metal outfit Skindred and Black Spiders. With a ticket price of a bargain £5 you’d be crazy to miss out on the chance to see three of the most exciting live acts around today.
‘Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing’ is released on 23rd January and new album ‘A Brief Crack Of Light’ is released on 6th February, both on Blast Records.
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Kicking off with a blast of scuzzy riffs and thundering rhythm immediately makes you aware you’re listening to Therapy?, the track announces itself to you in a way that forces you to listen to more. The melancholic, distorted vocal during the verses talks of experiencing ‘time as a terrible ache’, while the clanging drums have you unconsciously nodding along on the very first listen. This is what’s made Therapy? stand out from many of their peers, the ability to write undeniably heavy, often thrashy music while blending in hooks that keep you coming back for more.
