Review Summary: Promising debut album
The Computers are a relatively new band from the U.K., releasing their first EP, You Can't Hide from the Computers, in 2008. This is the Computers is their debut full-length album, released in 2011. It is mainly hardcore punk, but it also has rock n' roll and blues influences. The line-up for this release was:
Screaming Al Kershaw - Vocals, Guitar
Sonny Crawford - Guitar
Nic Heron - Bass
Aidan Sin - Drums
This album is pretty short, having 11 tracks and being around 25 minutes long. This makes most of the tracks very fast paced, and averages around the 2 minute mark, with the longest track bein 2 minutes and 44 seconds. There are exceptions, however: Hat Damnocles slows down the tempo a little, though it still has the short length of the other tracks.
The music isn't complex, however the instruments are played well. The drums and guitars are very audible, though the bass isn't as much so. The production is done well, so the instruments sound very clear, without any muddy/blurry sounding music.
The vocalist is definitely an acquired taste. His name definitely lives up to his vocal style, as it is almost exclusely screams (he kind of reminds me of George Pettit from Alexisonfire), though there are occasional clean backing vocals from another member. The lead vocalist also sings at the beginning of The Queen is 3d, though with a punkish edge, before going back to his normal vocal style.
It's hard to understand the lyrics with the vocal style that is used, though they are fairly simple, with the chorus for Music is Dead being "Music is Dead!" repeated a few times. Also, the end of Rhythm Revue goes like this:
Spend a little time
Spend a little time
Spend a little time
Spend a little time at the rhythm revue!
I don't think that the lyrics are what people would listen to this for though, as its musical atmosphere is people just having a good time, so I don't think it's that much of a problem.
Many of the songs sound similar, being short hardcore punk bursts, though with the albums short length, it doesn't get monotonous. Also, they do change the formula up every once in a while, particularly with the blues influenced tracks, and the slower tempo Hat Damnocles.
I'd say that my favourite songs are Rhythm Revue, and the Queen is 3D, with their bluesy influences, as well as album closer, Music is Dead with its nice drum beat, and fast paced rock.
So overall, this is a promising debut from a relatively unpopular band. If you can stand the vocalist, and short album length, then I recommend this album for you. Even if you don't enjoy the vocals, you still might like the instruments, and the overall rock n' roll/have fun atmosphere. However, if you absolutely can't stand the vocals, want complex lyrics, or want technical mastery with the instruments, then I don't recommend it. Otherwise, great album!
Note: Part of Atari's Review A Random Album Game 2013.5, suggestion by Ecnalzen.
