Sensorites - Fool
Unfortunately, the content doesn’t live up to the standards of the eye-candy it’s packaged in.
rating: 1.5
FacebookWebsite Released: September 10th*
Im a pretty shallow guy. I didnt realise it until just now, but I really am. Im not too sure if its a good or bad thing but theres nothing much I can do about it now, anyway. 23 years of engrained shallowness - and it will probably take double-that to de-engrain, from my soul and mind, the dirty rockpools of small-minded, visual and physical niches of shallowness that I find myself drowning in at this very moment. How have I come to the conclusion that Im a shallow individual? Ill tell you how. I was sorting through physical copies of albums/EPs waiting for review when my grimy fingers happened upon a CD wrapped in a brown envelope. Well, not even a brown envelope, really. It felt more like one of those bags you get at American malls, the mucky brown coloured ones, you know? Compared to the other ones Ive got lying around here, this one really stuck out so I picked it out of its nest, its little wings of promise flapping all the time. Sensorites is stamped onto the front, along with Fool. The back, the names of the tracks stamped in like a really inky tattoo. Also on the front is the press release: That Mersey swagger, an ear for a melody and charming lyric is what these guys are all about. From the vibe of Cast, The Las, The Zutons et al this group of brothers are a fine example of a modern day sounding take on all the above and hell, dare I say The Beatles too. Brilliant.
It would sway you too, right? A press release like that. I mean, cmon, a lovely looking brown envelope/bag thing/CD case and a press release comparing the bands sound to the likes of Cast and The Beatles it would be pretty rude not to review this one before the rest of the (im)patient ones. If looks are everything, that is Unfortunately, though, the content doesnt live up to the standards of the eye-candy its packaged in. The single, Fool, is played in different styles three times, with one instrumental track wedged in between. Yeah, its a given that Fool (which is the opening track) could be a good track with a bit more work but as it stands its far, far too twee and faux-sweet to be enjoyed at leisure. Listening to it twice is just about do-able, three times a struggle and four times deserves a pat on the back. Five times, I would ask if youve got too much time on your hands. Or change the repeat setting on your iTunes. http://youtu.be/78YChPOBgkA The redeeming factor for the track is that, at times, its almost like listening to a live session. This is mainly because of the guitar, bordering on acoustic, then twisting into a polished recording. Sensorites do have the ability to pull you into their music, but this is only because of the guitar the vocals are too stuffy and come across as if the vocalists got a terrible cold with tissues stuck up his nostrils. (A Cappella), the final track is probably the hardest track to get through, as its only then you realise how grating the vocalists voice can get. And listening to the same line of: Id be a fool to let you go / Im a fool, dont you know? is far from as charming as the press release states the bands lyrics can be. If you do your favourite thing enough times, youd get fed up of it. When its a lyric you dont like, its like wading through quicksand. Without a helping hand to pull you out. The Scouse accent is good to hear, though, as the band arent trying to be anyone but themselves but Id like to hear another recording of the band where it wasnt the same track metamorphosised into three other fillers. Its only then, really, that Id be able to give a proper review of the band. Reviewing the same track over and over isnt fun for the reviewer, or the reader, so its a really dubious decision to release this when it seems the band have missed out on an opportunity to show their true colours. For now, Ive got to say this isnt the most rewarding of listens but if the band were to release something else in the future that had a bit more than one track, Id love to hear it. Perhaps everyone was right about shallowness