First, a complaint. As one who tries to keep up with the UK music scene, I find it increasingly frustrating that there is a significant time period in which I must wait for a U.S. release. The Arctic Monkeys only took a month, but I had to wait nearly a year for Graham Coxon's Happiness in Magazines and Editors' The Back Room. Despite the fact that it has taken so long, Editors have still made an impression the U.S., having received small write-ups from Spin and Paper, selling out a handful of shows, as well as being knocked by the critics at Pitchfork. I first heard Editors several months back, when I was hooked in by "Munich" (this week's free download at iTunes) and its atmospheric b-side "Release." The comparisons to Interpol were imminent. Tom Smith's voice is similar to that of Paul Banks, and I'm sure Smith foresaw this when he sang, "Blood runs through our veins/that's where our similarities end," on "Blood." They may share similar influences (like, say, Joy Division), but there is a driving rhythm to Editors' songs that gives them a "dance-able" quality that Interpol doesn't have. In fact, I'd be more inclined to make a comparison to their touring mates Maximo Park, if I weren't already tired of critics who make the same comparisons as every other critic. The qualities of tormented dance are best exemplified on "Fingers in the Factory," which shows that, despite all the comparisons, Editors are surprisingly unique.
3.5 (out of 5)
::if you liked, or were disappointed by, this record, you should really check out Maximo Park's A Certain Trigger and Missing Songs (review).
::1 Related Link::
1:Editors: Dark Atmosphere on the Dance Floor
6 comments:
Although I've not heard Editors yet, and precious little of Maximo Park, I get such a kick from photos of Paul Smith (MP)performing - those huge scissor kicks, that hair! I'd love to see THEM live.
Will,
They remind me of Echo and the Bunnymen a lot. I love this album, yes it is gloomy, but having seen them about 6 months ago, I realised that the songs are really strong particularly "Blood", "Munich" and "All Sparks". Maximo Park are much better live and if put to the test, I would choose "A Certain Trigger".....just.
Good comparison to the Bunnymen, Ben. I've seen them three times, though sadly never Editors or Maximo. "Munich" is a favorite of mine ... Scissorkicks rock. Didn't I see Editors ahead of Maximo on your top 20 list, Ben?
Shit..Good spot Will !!!!! I'll have to fix that. No, seriously, there's very little between the two.
I think the Maximo Park singles have just been that little bit more diverse.
I was just checking out that list yesterday, Ben - to see what I've missed.
Just to let you know, Tom sings
"Blood runs through your veins, that's where our similarities end"
He doesn't sing love, but it does sound similar.
Post a Comment