Wow. I was secretly hoping this record would be good, but it would have been difficult for anyone to predict just quite how good ‘The Answer Is Never’ actually is. Anyone who has seen Howards Alias, or heard any of their previous efforts, will know that Matt and crew are very talented people. I was lucky enough to have vocalist/guitarist Matt write and record a solo track for our forthcoming compilation CD, which is arguably the best track on it. That song left me positively salivating at the prospect of this record – and it matches every wish I could have had.
Whilst ‘The Chameloeon Script’ was a record that was more pop-ska than much else, this new album, their first for Household Name, is far more eclectic. There will be comparisons to Rx Bandits, but there are other influences which shine through too. There’s dark twists, positive messages and powerful riffs, all topped off with the extremely distinctive vocals. The guitars have a fantastic tone, the drums are powerful and the use of horns is absolutely spot-on. And the production is top-notch too, creating what sounds like a pretty live feel. Throw in some amazing artwork and you have one of the finest British records ever made.
It would be really difficult to review the songs and do justice to them, so I shall keep my comments brief. Needless to say it was a very bold decision to go for 16 tracks, weighing in at over 60 minutes, but unlike most long albums there aren’t any filler tracks. Whether it be the anthemic ‘Chasing Amy’, the danceable ‘The Weekend Trip’ or the sublime ‘Blossom’, each track is fantastic. There are elements of reggae, nods back to the poppier HA of old and even harder parts. But it’s all mixed up so well that each song is distinguishable and has its own identity. ‘Love Loss Learn’ is superb, while ‘Elizabeth’s Song’ has a strong sense of individualism. It’s difficult to know whether this is aimed at one individual person or the million Avril clones that inhabit Top Shop, but with lines as good as ‘last season’s over, better wrap up, the new fad is here, better get up and snap it up’, who cares?
Lyrically this record is fantastic. There are tales of regret, songs of anger and tracks where messages are portrayed, but one thing the band never fail to do is get that message over with passion and emotion. It’s never contrived and never forced – making this raw, honest and believable. Oh, and fucking brilliant. There are so many standout lines to mention, but the anti-elitist ‘W.O.R.L.D’ is genius and ‘Song For A Friend’ must go down as one of the songs of the year.
Words cannot express just how good this record is. It’s been in my stereo for two weeks solid, and I’m still picking up new elements or parts that I’d not come across previously. It’s a captivating record that is as good lyrically as any record I’ve come across in recent years. It’s so open, so, dare I say it, emotional, that you cannot help but be sucked in by it. For me this record is far superior to either Capdown album HHN put out – although the two bands are very different this record has the same qualities Jake and Co put down on disc several years before. Capdown went on to become the UK’s shining light and if there’s any justice Howards Alias will go on and exceed that. This is a very special record by a very talented band. You owe it to yourself to buy this album.
www.howardsalias.co.uk
Household Name
Paul