It must be tough being in The Law. Lots of early promise and hype overshadowed by a somewhat underwhelming 2009 debut album (A Measure of Wealth), coupled with the ominous labeling of being Dundee’s “other” band (The View clearly holding bragging rights as of now, despite Kyle Falconer’s best attempts to usurp Liam Gallacher in the annoyingly mouthy frontman category) leaves the foursome in a tricky situation of handling the dreaded “Second Album Syndrome” – when their first, in all honesty, wasn’t that good – as well as creating enough exposure to make themselves a major player within the British indie genre.
They certainly have the tools. An energetic and lively stage presence combined with a boisterous home following within Scotland, epitomised by a memorable T in the Park performance in 2009, proves that The Law can put on a show. But do they have the songs to go with it? And, three years down the line, should anyone still care?
In a nutshell; yes, they should. But with care.
Second album Trigger exposes a completely different side to The Law. Thumping opener ‘Gimme Some Love’ seems to act as a bridge between the loud, rowdy, guitar thrashing debut album and this new offering. Because, much to the listeners surprise, they appear to have found some tenderness.
The band’s coastal tour of America seems to have left its mark on their sound, with an experimental, chilled out blues feel to the majority of the record. Imagine a laid back Primal Scream and you’re on the right track. This genre is characterised in ‘The Moon Is All’, with lead singer Stuart Purvey’s distorted vocals complimenting the straining jazzy guitar chords and sighing backing vocals perfectly.
The band hasn’t completely lost its early swagger, however, with ‘Paraglide’ and ‘Shadow (It Isn’t Me)’ picking up the tempo of the album as it approaches its climax.
Having said that, a lot is left to be desired lyrically. Bland and vague lines such as “Let’s get together, and do what we do” and “When I feel like the winter-time is calling, and the summer’s been blue…” show that this is a band far from the finished article, evidenced by the fairly high number of album fillers which, although pleasant enough to listen to, hardly inspire the listener.
Trigger is successful in that is highlights the diversity of The Law, proving to the public (and perhaps themselves) that they are not just a second coming of The View. But despite being a vast improvement from their opening LP, the worry for them should be that in changing their sound, they risk alienating their fan base, and should this latest offering be fruitless, that will leave them in a very isolated situation.
Therefore, they need to get the word out. And fast. But whether this album, despite being worthy of acknowledgement, is truly strong enough to give them any real sort of recognition, remains to be seen.
Prove me wrong, lads!