876 The Futureheads - The Futureheads (2004)

 876 The Futureheads - The Futureheads (2004)

Studio Album - Post Punk Revival




About the Act:

The Futureheads are a post punk revival band from Sunderland. What does that mean? Well they play music that sounds a bit like punk, and they are from Sunderland, UK, a Northern City famed for, well, maybe I'd better stop there as people from Sunderland get upset when I voice an opinion. It's not as bad as Preston.


About the Album:

This was their first album.


My History with this Album:

None


Review:

The sounds that they use are a bit like some kind of post-punk stuff, in fact it reminds me strongly of The Jam at times, but certainly like other punk bands too. It's energetic, sometimes raucous, songs are short and generally pointed, and it's very guitar-based (two electric guitars, bass and drums). The vocal delivery screams "punk". But then, it's not quite the Sex Pistols. Or The Ramones for that matter.

When Punk emerged, it was seen as a rejection of music that was complex, or even in some cases, skilled. The Futureheads have taken the sounds, but put the complexity back in. They do odd time signatures, they do vocal harmonies, they even do overlaid vocals, which remind me of the Beach Boys. In fact, it is the closest thing I have heard to something that could be described as Progressive Punk. And it works. Musically, it is interesting, and although coherent, occasionally surprising. Well done lads.

Songwriting-wise it's also a success, again taking some of the norms of Punk and expanding. Mostly this is not songs about love, and there is some social commentary, but there are curious songs here like "First Day" about the first day in a new job where things are not as rosy as they seem, and others. They are worth listening to. There is also a cover of The Hounds of Love by Kate Bush. When I heard it, I realised how their songwriting is actually quite similar to Kate's and it fits well in the album.

Altogether, then, I didn't know what to expect, and I got a pleasant surprise. 


7.2/10


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2G9UuU6wxAa4FoIv1rwHBo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR-rYYGS6juCsAXVHHr-BzSe_AOAo83NC

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Futureheads_(album)


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