Delays: Everything's The Rush
Friday, 02 May 2008 13:51
Delays - in a rush on album number three
Fiction Records, out May 5th.
In a nutshell...
Over-thought and over produced; it's awkward and struggling to shine.
What's it all about?
Everything's The Rush is a perplexing mix of what we like best about Delays (simple, catchy tunes, a bit of falsetto harmony and general happiness) and stodgy, overcomplicated lyrics and production. Out of the 11 songs and bonus track, only a lucky few manage to escape the truly irritating U2-esque guitar riffs and reams of mournful violins.
The tone is set by Girl's on Fire, an awkward slow-burner despite its upbeat pace – reminiscent of something Bono and co would have recorded ten years ago. The quality scarcely improves throughout the turgid 45 minutes, with only One More Lie-In and Love Made Visible reminding us that Delays are masters of making an impact with measured lyrics and uncomplicated tunes. One of the worst offenders to the musical palette is called Keep it Simple, ironically...
Who's it by
Delays' third album comes after two successful and critically-acclaimed albums, Faded Seaside Glamour and You See Colours. It is hard to see this album garnering as much popularity with either fans or critics, due to the formulaic and overpowering guitar riffs and string arrangements. Past Delays work has been simple but not simplistic, with solid, uplifting yet distinctive melodies. Think Nearer than Heaven or Valentine. A glimmer of original Delays spirit is however seen in cheeky tunes such as One More Lie-In and Jet Lag.
As an example...
"Love made visible/Your skin feels incredible/Wrote your name in graffiti on the wall." - Love Made Visible
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
If Everything's The Rush won an award at the Grammys, the acceptance speech would be muddled and unfulfilling. We'll probably be spared...
What the others say
"The more you listen to this record, the more you notice. There's a lot going on, and a lot to take in. After 20 plays... every tune still sounds like a brand new adventure - even the 'bonus track' is insanely good." – Fiona McKinlay, musicomh.com
"In the same way a roomful of chimps with typewriters will eventually end up writing the complete works of William Shakespeare, Delays could spend infinity shoving together faux-epic string effects and squeeze-neck vocal takes... our money is on the chimps bagging an opening night at the Globe first." - JF, nme.com
So is it any good?
Like the hyperactive kid jumping up and down twittering "look at me! Look at meeee!" at its long-suffering parents, the majority of songs on this album are annoying and attention-seeking.
Cult fans talk of Delays selling out to become more commercially pleasing, but it's hard to imagine any of the tunes on the album being bigger commercial hits than they have already enjoyed. Also bandied around is the idea that the band is trying to imbue their lyrics and songs with more 'depth' - but it's not about proving they can do moody and deep, as Jet Lag, a classic Delays sound, and one of the more successful tunes on the album, demonstrates.
As they threaten in Touch Down; "If you go, if you go/I'll be coming on your radio."
I wouldn't be so sure of that, guys.
5/10
Rebecca Heath
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