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It is probably best to preface this review with the fact that I was (and still am) a huge fan of the Editors debut release, 2005’s The Back Room. On that album they delivered us a series of soundscapes that were simple, smart and compelling – setting them apart in a year that was remarkably strong for brit-pop.
Therefore it was with quite some anticipation that I awaited their follow-up release, An End Has A Start.
To my dismay, they have gone and played it too damn safe.
So while the good news is that we now have The Back Room II, the bad news is that all the best ideas were used up on the original. That means you get eleven new tracks that are at times enjoyable, sometimes show promise, but ultimately fail to deliver.
The album starts off strongly enough. Lead single ‘Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors’ is a slow burning and melodic gem. The squally guitars are understated, while Tom Smith’s baritone vocals are in fine form. The title track also impresses through the growing sense of urgency created by its’ driving guitars and percussion – it contains more vitality than all the remaining songs put together.
Then ‘The Weight of the World’ hits, and it really makes you wonder if subliminally that’s what the band felt when trying to follow up their debut success. Like the songs that follow, this one just never lifts, and the lyrics are nowhere near as insightful as we know the band can produce.
By the time you get to the penultimate number, ‘Well Worn Hand’, things have literally ground to a halt. They’ll look back on this particular piano led ballad and shudder in years to come.
With An End Has A Start the Editors have been found guilty of sticking too closely to their previously successful formula. The result is a heavy disappointment that will hopefully serve as a lesson when preparing their next release – luckily form is temporary, talent is hopefully permanent.
In breaking news.... on August 7th 2007, the Editors will be hitting our shores to play a one off gig at The Studio in Auckland... Irrespective of this latest release, I’ll be there with bells on, but I do hope they lean towards the old, rather than the new.
Essential Tracks
Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors
An End Has A Start
Escape the Nest
Full Track Listing
1. Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors (4:56)
2. An End Has a Start (3:42)
3. The Weight of the World (4:18)
4. Bones (4:04)
5. When Anger Shows (5:45)
6. The Racing Rats (4:17)
7. Push Your Head Towards the Air (5:44)
8. Escape the Nest (4:43)
9. Spiders (3:58)
10. Well Worn Hand (2:54)
11. A Thousand Pieces (3:41)
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