Review Summary: Enter Shikari return with a somewhat new sound! Prepare to either be pleased or bitterly disappointed
Well, this review is probably going to receive some rather jilted comments from the Sputnik hardcore but never mind! Yes, I LIKE Enter Shikari. Take To The Skies was a brilliant album and a billiant opener for the band. Like most bands, the challenge would come from that difficult second album. Many decent bands fall at the wayside when it comes to creating a second album. ES, though, do a pretty good job. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this in many ways is better than TTTS. How, I hear you ask! Wel,, what Enter Shikari have done so well is what they've always done well- catchy songs.
On first listen, you'll wonder what's happened to Enter Shikari. Album opener Common Dreads is much like Stand Your Ground... on the former album. After that, it's pretty much standard ES in both 'Solidarity' and 'Step Up'. Nothing untoward here, the listener will think. Even Juggernauts sound somewhat like Jonny Sniper did in terms of musical direction, so again no alarm bells are ringing. However, after this, the 'new' sound begins and it is a treat! Shikari haven't completely dispersed with their old styling, but there are definitely more clean vocals than the throaty screams of the last album. This is a NEW Enter Shikari, a band who have the fanbase now to try different styles. And that's exciting..and GOOD!
They still have the trance elements in their music, and in many ways it is more prominent in their sound. Hectic, especially, is a joyous romp through trance mixed with rock. Not only that, but its catchy, sounding like the 'Labyrinth' of this album. The Jester is a wonderful journey through differnt styles. Starting with a jazz band opening (Howard Moon, step forward), it travels from that to the stomping beat of trance. This is both original and familiar, feeling like something you've experience before (On TTTS no doubt), but wrapped up in a new and improved package. Yes, an improved package. The songwriting is more matured, no doubt because of the band's own maturing. They're no longer the new kinds on the block, desperate to impress. They're now able to make music they want, and it's still Enter Shikari through and through.
On the down side, it just seems like there are just one too many songs that are trying something new, rather than sticking to the old style. The mix isn't always there and sometimes songs just drag on, Gap in the Fence springing to mind until the rave like ending section. Also, Rou Reynolds' attempts to 'speak' in some songs doesn't really work. The shouty vocals and gang chants work fine, as this is what their sound is. The main problem with the speaking parts is that they are awfully familiar to The Streets. Not only is that a horrible musical direction to follow, it also doesn't seem that original.
This is an album that fans will either frown at or love. Personally, I prefer this to their old material. It's not as heavy or brutal, but the songs are much better and more varied. This is a new band, or perhaps the band Enter Shikari were destined to become once they matured. Either way, it's a hit or miss album with the fanbase. I guess, like ES in general, you as the listener have to make the ultimate decision.
I for one, though, think its a brilliant return from one of Britain's most promising bands!
Good points
- More musical variety
- ES are still aware of their old sound
- More prominent use of trance, which actually enhances the songs
Bad points
- The spoken parts...sometimes cringeworthy
- One too many attempts to create new music rather than sticking to their old style
Songs to download
- Hectic
- Antwerpen
- Step Up
