大象传媒

The Automatic - 'Raoul'

• Fraser M
• 2 Jan 07, 02:59 PM

Whether you think this is a brilliant way to get the new year started or not probably depends on whether you're one ot the people who were aware of how great this song is the first time it was released, early last year, or whether you first came to the band via their megahit 'Monster' and were wondering if they had any other songs which were as good.

So, let's make this easy. All of you who are politically opposed to a band flagrantly re-releasing their OTHER noteworthy song once they've had a big hit, skip this review and go and read about the new U2 video instead, OK?

And if you're still here, you'll be pleased to know this is every bit as good as 'Monster', but has a darker edge to it which means it won't make your teeth itch with fury every time some TV reporter decides to use it as a backing song for a minor item of local news. Course, seeing as it doesn't have as straightforward a hook as 'Monster', the chances of regional TV getting their hands on it are fairly low anyway.

Which is a shame, cos if anything is going to save the Autos from one-hit-wonder status, it's this kind of angry pop, if only cos it hints at the intelligence of the people involved, while being great for jumping about your bedroom to when you're in a huff.

AND if you buy the CD, you also get the band's unbelievably good cover of Kanye West's 'Gold Digger', which hints at a third possible type of song the band could attempt, once rehashing 'Monster' and this song have lost their appeal. Shouty folk-hop, here we come!

Released:January 8th
Watch the video at

(Fraser M)