Music Review

02 December 2008 02:43 BST

Infadels: Universe in Reverse

Wall of Sound, out June 23rd.

In a nutshell...

Indie rockers set sights on stadiums

What's it all about?

The follow-up to the band's debut We Are Not The Infadels, Universe in Reverse sees Infadels turning the guitars and synths up to 11 for an assault on the mainstream and the big time.

Recent singles Free Things for Poor People and Make Mistakes both managed to work their way on to a certain national radio station's daytime playlist, which suggests that the band's efforts to write the kind of choruses destined to be a hit at the festivals and beyond could be paying off.

The band have also pulled in producer Martin 'Youth' Glover, who has previously worked with stadium-straddling groups such as Guns 'N' Roses and Depeche Mode, to ensure their tunes are given that extra bit of anthemic oomph.

Who's it by?

Infadels are a London-based band who allegedly planned to just release one record and split. However, after attention from none other than the legendary John Peel, the band was thrust back into action with its own brand of electronic-infused dance rock.

The group's first album was released two years ago and got favourable reviews, but money problems almost derailed them from making this second effort. Fortunately, they've lived to tell the tale over the course of the new LP's ten breathless tracks.

As an example...

"How did you think you would get through it/Who do you know when it comes to it/Locked in a world like a room/Falling apart, heart in two." – Don't Look Behind You

"Life was easy before the numbers came/Number crunching is my ever losing game." – Make Mistakes

"As I walk into the wind/As it cracks upon my face I won't seem the same again." – Circus of the Mad

Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys

A slim chance of picking up any acclaim on the other side of the pond, but this record may still find favour with both the public and critics over here. Fans of the band will no doubt enjoy this return, while some curious listeners may also pick it off the racks at HMV after hearing tunes on the radio.

What the others say

"Youth's twiddling ensures they avoid the meat 'n' potatoes rockers trap." – Q

"While you're not hurrying to play it again, there's a handful of great moments to revisit." – BBC

"Infadels' dreams of glory remain wishful thinking – they aim for the stars but shoot themselves in the foot." – Mirror

So is it any good?

In a word, yes. Opener Circus of the Mad strides out the blocks on a wave of multi-tracked vocals and a stomping beat that shows the band mean business in their efforts to hit the mainstrem.

Make Mistakes, Chemical Girlfriend and Free Things for Poor People also tick all of the right boxes, with big anthemic choruses which are sure to attract the ear of people wanting a singalong at events across the summer.

Synths and guitars also collide brilliantly on Play Blind, while the only slow song on the record – Don't Look Behind You – also has a certain lighters-aloft feel. The only track which doesn't really pass muster is Code 1, which lacks the charm of rest of the album.

All in all, Universe in Reverse is a good album which features some very good songs, although anyone looking for something startingly original or left-field won't find it here.

However, there are certainly worse ways to spend three-quarters of an hour.

8/10

Rob Dixon