 | Tracklist:
1. It's A Party
2. We Don't Need Money To Have A Good Time
3. Celebrity
4. I Wanna Dance With You
5. Popdeath
6. Like I Love You
7. Money
8. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
9. Down Our Street
10. Rumour
11. Friday
12. Leave My Side
Release Date: 09/19/2011 | |
| | other reviews | Luke Barratt (4)
Money and Celebrity: The Subways deserve both for this album. Conceptually cohesive, musically varie... | Ali (3.5)
Despite their numerous flaws, The Subways continue to churn out above-average pop-rock records.... |
On 1 Lists
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| Summary: When music should be listened to without a pen or keyboard in sight. |
Barring writers block, one of the most frustrating aspects of reviewing music is when the writer is fully aware that the words they have written do not necessarily match up with the album rating that is most likely to be the first port of call for a reader. As much as objectivity is required, there are times when an album's shortcomings can be overlooked for the good of the overall product. This is when music should be listened to without a pen or keyboard in sight... And no release in recent memory has given this reviewer that exact feeling more than 'Money and Celebrity', the straight-forward third LP from English trio The Subways.
Following the release of their promising, if inconsistent and derivative, debut LP in 2005, the young indie rockers struck pay-dirt on the Butch Vig produced follow-up 'All or Nothing'. Lord knows what they were waffling on about, but it was pure unbridled joy singing along to 'Shake Shake' and 'Girls & Boys', while the insistent pounding of drummer Josh Morgan on 'Always Tomorrow' made for a head-banging moment that - dare I say it - recalled 'Bohemian Rhapsody'! This time around, producer Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur, Kaiser Chiefs) tones down the stadium ambitions a little, but continues to allow The Subways to do what they do best; enthusiastically rock out. Simplicity is the name of the game here, with the trio seemingly giving hope to many an amateur musician, who are likely to be able to play along with most of the tracks.
To put it bluntly, almost every facet of The Subways performance on 'Money and Celebrity' could be picked apart if one was so inclined. With a half-hearted attempt at linking its 12 tracks through the tired theme of celebrity over-exposure, the lyrics are standard at best. While extremely fan-friendly, the guitar-work is anything but complex, and the bouncy riffs of 'It's a Party!' and 'Celebrity' will instigate a game of "Where have I heard that before"? Variety is also at a premium, with the lack of any curve-balls resulting in a rather predictable affair. Vocally, neither Billy Lunn or Charlotte Cooper possess technically proficient voices, although they do carry an every person charm which makes them effectively likeable. In truth, the boy-girl vocal dynamic is not explored to its utmost, as Cooper mostly contributes to the choruses only. The denser sound, pronounced bass and driving riffs of the strong 'Rumour' verge on containing a call & response approach, which is one technique the outfit could further integrate in the future.
Despite all of the aforementioned critiques, 'Money and Celebrity' still works! Yes, it is undoubtedly inferior to its predecessor, but it instantly delivers an enjoyable crowd-pleasing package. Reaching its peak when the energy and tempo is turned to eleven during the shout-along chorus of 'Like I Love You', The Subways play to their strengths and work around their limitations. Lunn's riffs are everywhere, Cooper's bass-lines always distinct, and Morgan continues to pound away as if he has a grudge to bear. With the longest track clocking in at just 3:37, there is next to no filler here, and this LP will go down a treat live. Detractors of The Subways may well wear out their keyboards or run their pens dry, but to all those who require neither tool to listen to their music, 'Money and Celebrity' should appeal. Now if only I can figure out a way to allow others to experience this method of subliminal review writing.
Recommended Tracks: Like I Love You, Rumour, It's A Party & Celebrity.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 3.5
I might be on a hiding to nothing writing this review, but oh well.
Check your head at the door people.
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that first paragraph is so true of so many albums
Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories
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lead single sucks
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thanks for the agreement on the intro David, as I wasn't sure how that would go down.
Adam, I presume you mean 'We Don't Need Money to Have a Good Time'? If so, I kinda agree. It was definitely a strange choice as a lead single. Then again, from memory, was 'Shake Shake' even released as a single from 'All or Nothing'? Whoever is picking their singles needs a kick up the clack.
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To be honest I've never understood what people see in this band. They appear to me a very mediocre, albeit energetic, straight-up rock band. My brother absolutely loves them and my taste usually matches up pretty well with his but we disagree about this band enormously. But even he thinks the lead single off this record is rubbish.
Yeah the intro reminds me of the intros I used to write before I stopped planning my reviews properly. It's great, except for the use of 'THIS REVIEWER' (:@)!
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Question (and it kinda has something to do with that reviewing dilemma you posited): how many spins did you need to give this album for it to give you that "I-know-it's-not-that-good-but-fuck-me-it-works" feeling?
Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
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Whole review was pretty much just me saying "lol what the fuck are you talking about" over and over
Digging: Kate Miller-Heidke - Nightflight
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
You know I like my straight up rawk Adam. Sometimes you just need to check your head at the door I think, and this band provides that opportunity.
I should have gone with "The honourable Sir Davey" instead of "This reviewer".
Irving, in this case, it was only 2 spins. This is super instant/immediate & in no way, shape or form can be deemed a grower.
Unsure you'd know about what I was talking about DavID, since your reviews no longer require a rating.
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...huh? What is that supposed to mean?
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
You've written 1 review here (where you have to allocate an album rating) in the past 12 weeks.
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Oh wow sorry silly fucking me should I give a 3.5 to some passing fad NME hype band so I can get back in favour with you
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http://images.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/10098414.jpg
Digging: Mount Eerie - Clear Moon Digging: Mount Eerie - Clear Moon
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dam niga u fast
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whenever i see you post in a thread i open memegenerator in preparation
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"neither Billy Lunn or Charlotte Cooper"
Also this doesn't read like a 3.5 at all. More like a 2. Even with the "It works!" line. I get that that's pretty much the point of the review, but still
Digging: Imagine Dragons - It's Time Digging: Imagine Dragons - It's Time
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http://i.imgur.com/05Ph6.jpg
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fuck I'm great
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
But toxin, that's pretty much the point of the review. ;-)
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Irving, in this case, it was only 2 spins. This is super instant/immediate & in no way, shape or form can be deemed a grower.
Yeah I see where you're coming from. Some things just click with us - even though they don't deserve to 99.999% of the time haha. Fair enough DaveyBoy; do keep writing mate!
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Quite like these guys. Might look into it.
Digging: Whiskeytown - Stranger's Almanac
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