First Aid Kit,
Disco EnsembleDisco Ensemble are a young bunch of Finnish lads who have just released their new album ‘First Aid Kit’; an edgy and quirky record which could help push the band forward into the limelight. The band state that their influences are ‘everything’, which, when stated by your average band, doesn’t really mean much. But on this release you can pick out a wide range of bands that Disco Ensemble are evidently fans of. The first main influence is the post-hardcore At The Drive-In-esque feel of track one, and many of the other tracks on the album. ‘This Is My Head Exploding’ is a fiery, energy fuelled opening with real flair and passion.
Track two ‘We Might Fall Apart’ introduces an electro element which the band pull off nicely. The synth reminds me of The Bravery, but they make it their own and incorporate the sound well into the song. The electro-pop influence is apparent in other areas of the album but it never sounds cheesy or overused. There are a few sombre efforts which don’t flow so well as the punchier songs – ‘Human Cannonball’, and ‘First Aid Kit’, while still good songs, don’t stand out and highlight the slightly weaker side of the band. ‘Fresh new Blood’ ups the pace again, with a brilliant build up into a storming wall of guitar. I could easily see this being a live favourite, with memorable vocals and a really energetic pace.
‘Sleep On The Wheel’ is a great album ender – the song is a slow burner but grows and grows into a disjointed but coherent tangle of instruments, leaving you on a real high. On the whole, ‘First Aid Kit’ is a really impressive and intelligent record that should win the band a legion of new fans. It’s obviously very hard to be innovative in this day and age, but Disco Ensemble have done a very good job, and came out with some high quality tunes.
Andrew C
