Crackout 'Oh No' (Hut)

“Buckinghamshire spawned trio. . .” begins the press release. Lads, have a word with the record company! It's hard to imagine these chaps have suffered any real angst thus far in their lives - maybe daddy wouldn't lend out the Volvo as much as they'd have liked. . .

All of which has led, somewhat surprisingly, to a nicely spikey collection of mod-ish tunes with vocals so reminsicent of The Cure's Robert Smith that a stint on Stars in Their Eyes beckons if this record flops. Insistent guitars, new wave bass and jagged drumming characterises the
opening few tracks of this record. 'Out of Our Minds' and 'This is What We Do' thrum along with intent, though it's tricky to see how this music will resound beyond the bedrooms of determined indie kids. It's accomplished, melodic and interesting but that's unlikely to be enough.

Crackout seem to be rather miserable and (whisper it) gothy. Will anyone want to take this record and give it a loving home? 'All This Colour' and 'Pale' confirm that these boys almost certainly own eye-liner and a higher-than-average amount of back clothing. 'Way Too Long', 'Robots Have Feelings' and 'Feel at Home' are the final nails in the coffin of this album.

Had it been an EP of the first four tracks I'd be thinking nice thoughts and hoping that nice things happen to Crackout. An album's worth and well. . . goths. . . from Buckinghamshire. Oh No!

words: Roger Hadwen

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