Every review should start with a ‘positive.’ The ‘positive’ here is that the album lasts only 42 minutes and 3 seconds, when it could have been 42 minutes and 4 seconds. Which is maybe being a touch unfair on the people who have spent time, effort and money in producing ‘Fear Of Beards’ but the trouble with Biffy Clyro having been around the Scottish scene for so many years is that many aspiring bands look towards them for inspiration and influence, thereby forgoing any aspect of originality.
This appears to be the case as far as Refuse Boy is concerned. Throw a little Minus The Bear into the mix and you have the rather predictable and soulless direction of this album.
Album opener ‘Mockney Mohawk’ starts promisingly enough, but all too soon the vocals become strained. ‘Pogonophobia’ has its moments, mainly when the vocals are shouted rather than sung, but again struggles to maintain interest to the end.
And so it goes. One is left with the impression that this band perhaps takes itself too seriously. No doubt Refuse Boy are much better live than on this offering, but I’m afraid crashing cymbals, constant tempo changes and whiny vocals just don’t do it for me.
I completely disagree with your comments.
This is an upcoming math rock band with bags of potential who put on a great live show.
What’s wrong with vocal’s being shouted rather than sung? What’s wrong with constant tempo changes?
I could name dozens’s of great Scottish bands that work in similar methods. You guys bum Biffy more than most, yet its lazy journalism comparing them to Biffy Clyro.
There is very little similarity between Minus the Bear and Refuse Boy but credit for showing you know about Suicide Squeeze Records. You must be proud. How about a comparison with a little more relevance like That F***ing Tank, Shellac, Men of Po*n?
How can a band with an track titles “Mockney Mohawk” take themselves too seriously? Even the album title flushes that.
It seems like a half arsed review by someone with little knowledge of alternative guitar music. Maybe you stick with listening to The Klaxons.
I recommend anyone to go and listen to this band on their website. For free.
I don’t agree with the review either. This band’s sound has little in common with Biffy Clyro.
For me the band take more influence from older bands such as Pavement and Sebadoh and maybe Seaweed and Pond.
None of it’s that startlingly new but it’s a solid début for a young band.