The Xcerts
There Is Only You


4.0
excellent

Review

by dogsarefriendly USER (15 Reviews)
November 4th, 2014 | 23 replies


Release Date: 2014 | Tracklist

Review Summary: You haunt me like a pop song in my head.

"There Is Only You" feels like an album The Xcerts have always wanted to write. Their two previous albums now feel like sparks before a glorious fire, both 2009's "In The Cold Wind We Smile" and 2010's "Scatterbrain" brimming with potential and talent but always on the cusp of something more, something incredible, and now we know just what the band were on the cusp of.

The album takes merely 55 seconds before it grabs you by the lapels after the delicate intro "2.12.12" which feels like the calm before a storm of catchy chorus', haunting lyrics and songwriting talent. The album bursts into track 2, "Live Like This" which captures exactly what the album has to offer. The Xcerts manage to perfectly marry soaring pop chorus' with meaningful lyrics and this is showcased perfectly on the aforementioned track.

Frontman Murray Macleod when asked about this album said that the band wanted to put some heart back into pop music. Pop music these days usually falls into the guilty pleasure category for me where I can quite easily enjoy a pop song for the few weeks that it is on the radio and then forget all about it as it tumbles out of the charts. The Xcerts however have written chorus' as catchy as any chart-topper but their song writing talent brings a new dimension to a typical pop song - genuine feelings. Two songs which fall most into this category would be "Kevin Costner" and "Pop Song". Both tracks are about the danger in falling in love, which is recurring theme on the album.

There is a poignancy in Macleod's vocal delivery which is a result of his own heartbreak during the recording process of this album as he split with his longterm partner. However small this consolation is, his loss is the listeners gain as there is a palpable fragility in the way he sings which makes each track feel as though it is flowing through your veins.



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user ratings (55)
3.8
excellent
other reviews of this album
Gerbilman (3)
An inconsistent, but ultimately enjoyable, addition to the Xcerts growing catalogue....



Comments:Add a Comment 
dogsarefriendly
November 4th 2014


48 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIC-sVG5pkA



the video to their latest single Pop Song

GreyShadow
November 5th 2014


7031 Comments


I'm enjoying what I'm hearing but I don't think this will be a 5 by any means. Still can't deny that this is good pop rock.

Slex
November 5th 2014


16523 Comments


very good first review man, pos. I totally understand why you would include the last paragraph but I feel it's a little unnecessary, but honestly that's my only major gripe.

JasonCarne
November 5th 2014


1184 Comments


Judging by the single you posted I'd be at like a 3/5, definitely didn't grab me enough to listen to the whole record. Review was good though.

fallenbird
November 5th 2014


4493 Comments


Really good on first listen.

henryChinaski
November 5th 2014


5014 Comments


Listening now, sounds pretty good so far. Never checked out their debut. Nice write-up!

turnip90210
November 5th 2014


451 Comments


I dabbled a bit with their stuff in the past, just a couple of tracks. Someone posted a video of one of their gigs at some festival on the facebook page of the drummer of my band, saying that the drummer there drums similar. The band sounded like a first album Biffy Clyro knockoff, which is enjoyable albeit derivative, so I downloaded it and forgot about it.

Thanks for reminding me they have a record coming out. The single you posted is once again enjoyable albeit derivative, as is the accompanying video. I'm pretty sure this be no 5/5 but I'll be sure to give it a spin and enjoy it ;)

InfamousGrouse
November 5th 2014


4378 Comments


I liked this band when I was 17. I've heard half of this so far and in no way does it merit a four year gap between releases.

TwigTW
November 5th 2014


3934 Comments


Got me to listen to the album, good first review.

loveisamixtape
November 5th 2014


12322 Comments


this is so bad

dogsarefriendly
November 5th 2014


48 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

@loveisamixtape... The album or the review? Either way I'd be interested to hear your reasoning.

theamazingjamez
November 6th 2014


40 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Not bad, review or album. I don't consider this album to be perfect, really, but I think this band has potential to pull off something really brilliant. Good review, though.

loveisamixtape
November 6th 2014


12322 Comments


no the review is fine, i jsut don't like the vocalist at all

JoylessBastard
November 6th 2014


480 Comments


Definitely not a 5, but great review nonetheless.

redrig
November 7th 2014


220 Comments


first record was way better

Skimaskcheck
November 9th 2014


2364 Comments


didn't i hear these guys buy their way onto tours?

first review... 5... feature... hmm

dogsarefriendly
November 9th 2014


48 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

@skimaskcheck hahahaha illuminati maybe. Relax man. Not sure where on earth you heard that, but I've followed them for years and can confirm they've worked their way here...or maybe just paid me £10, who knows.

Skimaskcheck
November 10th 2014


2364 Comments


well dogs are friendly; ^.^

TheSupernatural
November 11th 2014


2213 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Checked out a couple songs, sounds less flannel/fedora indie and more like actual fun music. Excited to listen to the rest

of it

Teal
November 12th 2014


599 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This album is awesome. "Kick It", "Teenage Lust", and "Pop Song" are my jams at the moment. These guys are severely underrated.



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