The Courteeners - 'What Took You So Long?'
OK, first of all, you need to entirely ignore the first line of this song. There is NO SUCH THING as spending "too much time sat in your bedroom on your PC". And even if there was, you could easily get around the adverse affect on your health by making sure to spend a large proportion of your time on websites which are empirically good for you. Like, for example, one of the very informative and entertaining music blogs which have sprung up in the last year or so. Can't think of a good example off the top of my head, but I'm sure there's at least one really brilliant one out there (*points to self, pointedly*).
As always, the problem with reviewing a new single by a hotly-tipped (not least by themselves) indie band is that your expections run away with you. If you swallowed every over-the-top claim made on behalf of the Courteeners, you'd be forgiven for expecting this song to change your life, tie up your shoelaces, hoover your house and then cook your favourite tea.
As it is, what you inevitably end up doing is playing spot the musical reference and wondering whatever happened to singers who can, y'know...sing? Liam Fray sings like his tonsils are attempting to block his windpipe, either that or he is gargling with yoghurt. It's sort of off-putting, truth be told.
But then you can't really take too much pleasure in pointing out that this is just the latest in a long line of new indie bands who claim to part of a lineage of wonderful rock 'n' roll stars going back to...well let's just say Oasis always seem to crop up as a reference point. No-one likes a killjoy, after all.
But the reason Oasis stand head and shoulders above most other bands who attempt to make a noise along these lines is because Liam Gallagher has an astonishingly good voice, and they have massively distinctive songs. The reason other key indie touchstones (Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys, Smiths, Joy Division etc) have had as big an influence as they have is because they were the best at making the kind of noise they made, and this was often because they were the first to make it.
So, as a tip for all new indie-type bands who are considering making a fuss about their own fantasticity...maybe a bit less time spent proclaiming your genius and a bit more time spent being one might be the way to go, mm?
Otherwise, all you've got to aim at is being the new Pigeon Detectives. Why sell yourself that short?
Download: Out now
CD Released: January 14th
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comments
I completely agree. I was disappointed after all the hype. There's something about too much marketing that leaves a bad taste. More talent is required to back it up.
Noel Gallagher came on stage with Kasabian at Edinburgh's Hogmanay.. Think the other one appeared at the end too.. either that or I was seeing dubble :P
Trouble with Oasis is that their massive success sent Indie into the mainstream, which has tended to suppress originality in the genre ever since (with one or two exceptions of course).
IMHO this is an accomplished single from a decent outfit but not one that warrants the label "genius" (yet)
I'm So glad you have said everything you have said, as a musician and cynic based in Manchester. The vocals are dreadful, but he'll loose his "singing"voice if he continues to abuse his throat like that...ohh well, a tragedy for music...mmm
When they hit the masses (if they do) the National press wont be as favourable as the sycophantic M.E. N newspaper.
Cheers for the honesty
I agree with most new indie bands being labelled as the next new thing and compared as the new oasis to frequently, but as jd wrote this is a good single and a lot better than a lot of typical middle of the road 'indie' releases. It's definitely an improvement on the likes of razorlight and the kooks.
"too much time sat in your bedroom on your PC".
I personally think that you have given this a dud review because that particular line touched a nerve with yourself...
[It's true. And I think I'd just come back from waiting in a queue at the post office too. BOY I was tetchy that day. - Fraser]