The Holloways: So This Is Great Britain
The Holloways are sometimes so cheerful that they become unnerving
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Monday, 30, Oct 2006 06:00
TVT Records, October 30th.
In a nutshell.
Fun, cheeky, poppy, punchy, fleeting
What's it all about?
So This Is Great Britain is the debut album from the Holloways and puts the fun back into the world of rock 'n' roll. When Pete and Carl were hurling insults at each other and the NME devoted pages and pages to the emotional break-up, the Holloways were probably hopping up and down and encouraging some kind of sing-a-long. There's no sign of the quibbles and upheavals of the modern band in the Holloways, there's far too much smiling going on for any kind of debauchery, robbery or drug taking. While this should be enthusiastically applauded it also means that you look elsewhere for the emotion and magic.
Ideally this would be when the songs did the talking, however, much of So This Is Great Britain sounds like an eight-year-old swearing at his parents. The modern quips and contemporary commentary is present, but often the squeal and whimsically nonsensical nature of the band's lyrics makes you want to chuckle, like on album opener Great Britain. Final track F*** Ups sums this up fantastically, it's so cheerful that it becomes unnerving and as much as the title suggests F*** Forever, it's more I Am A Cider Drinker.
Who's it by?
The Holloways are Dave Danger on drums, Bryn Fowler on the bass and Rob Skipper and Alfie Jackson as guitarists and co-front men. After a chance encounter at the Nambucca club in London two years ago, the chirpy foursome became a band through a love for beer and laughter. So This Is Great Britain is the culmination of the last two year's work, travelling up and down England's motorways supporting Babyshambles and headlining their own shows.
Singles Two Left Feet and Generator have already solidified the band's reputation as indie club favourites, with Reinvent Myself and Happiness and Penniless becoming live favourites. The band have often remarked that their melodies inject some fun and energy into a crowd and their debut album is a successful attempt to recreate this live vivacity.
As an example.
"I need some joy in my life/I need joy in my life/Won't you take my hand/Don't you let me go." Two Left Feet is one of the Holloways' many likeable tunes, occasionally it falls into a blend of US teenage punk and calypso, but it still manages to be catchy and original.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
The Holloways will break into the mainstream UK pop scene with little trouble, but the songs don't stand up to enhanced scrutiny and awards ceremonies seem unlikely.
What the others say
"Infectious energy.They've got the tunes and the cheekiness to become huge." Observer
"Rabble-rousing joyous rock and pop, soaked in harmony, fiddle and harmonica." NME
So is it any good?
The Holloways' debut manages to sneak its offerings into your head, where the songs rattle around and get you whistling in a crazed stupor for most of the day. This in itself proves that the Holloways have achieved what they set out to do: to produce a catchy and accessible pop record.
However, although Generator and Great Britain will probably grace a DJ's library for many a month, you have to question how far this music can go. Lyrics like "I can get a record player/and a generator to generate the music to make you feel better" clearly have a shelf life. The track itself (Generator) is genius, it's terribly infectious and boasts a brilliant melody, but after two listens you're dying to find something with more depth.
Reinvent Myself, regarded by many as the band's signature tune, is trumped by a number of songs on this album. Malcontented One provides that much needed moment of variety on the record and is by far one of the best tunes. Vitally it adds some interesting vocals and group melodies to a catchy riff, which borrows heavily from reggae and calypso tunes. What's The Difference contrasts this deeply, the vibe is similar but the interest is gone, with Alfie strumming along to lyrics that sound like they're being read off the back of a fag packet.
So This Is Great Britain is a noble debut, living up to the expectations set by the band's live performances. The 'carpetbagger' image is still present, and the tunes are ever cheerful, but the album has just as many lows as it does highs.
6/10
Karl Pike