Customer Reviews

Futureheads

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In the music scene today, there may be no band that sounds like it's having more fun than the Futureheads. Their bouncy dancepunk tunes are catchy, gritty-edged, danceable -- and above all, the guys sound like they're having a absolutely glorious time.

A pal of mine went to a Futureheads concert and confided that the crowd didn't move at all. That's hard to imagine -- after a mild buildup of vocal harmonies and guitar riffs, the catchiness kicks in with the rapid-fire percussion. "And I won't say what if it's true/Le garage (le garage-RAGE!)" the guys shout in the opener.

Things don't die down after that, from the Devo-esque "Robot" to the heavy-guitar, dadaesque "Man Ray." Not that everything is all the same -- the Futureheads are one of the few rock bands who don't rely on the same riffs and beats to achieve catchiness. They manage different kinds of catchiness -- herky-jerky, relentless, fragmented and poppy.

The only exception is "Danger of the Water," a song that is almost a capella, with Barry Hynde solemnly singing, as his bandmates chant "do do, do do" in the background. Okay, there's a tiny keyboard melody, but it's almost indiscernable -- and it's surprisingly entrancing when the song builds up to a tense climax ("Danger... water/Danger... water!"), followed by a yell from Hynde. Only imagine what happens next.

Despite comparisons to Franz Ferdinand, the Futureheads smack more of Devo-and-XTX-meets-the-Ramones. The jangly guitars, solid drums and bass are all wonderfully assured, but the vocal harmonies are the really good stuff. Hynde does most of the singing, but the other guys weave in and out without a single sonic burp.

Sure, it's not perfect. But the energy and fun of the Futureheads' debut can't be denied. A solid, fun, catchy dancepunk album.

The thrill of a formalist genre like punk is how malleable it can be. Since the 70's, each generation has offered up its share of inspirational artists: Sex Pistols, Ramones, Buzzcocks, The Clash, Gang of 4, Fugazi, Nirvana, Green Day. The new millennium gives us The Futureheads, a U.K. quartet whose powerful debut adds call-and-response harmonies to the buzzsaw thrash of prime hardcore. Since they aren't borne of the dole, The Futureheads offer more observational tales than rallies against the miserable state of the world. There's even a subtle optimism to tracks like "Decent Days and Night", "The City Is Here for You to Use", and "A to B". Best of all is their inspired remake of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love", where her florid romanticism is kept in check by vocalist/guitarist Barry Hyde's desperate run to take his "shoes off and throw them in the lake", while his bandmates answer him with "uh oh oh's" for the ages.

This CD. It's fantastic. These guys make music that is exactly what I want to hear. It's wild, offbeat, rambunctious. When I first listened to it, I couldn't stand it. And that's usually the best sign for me. If I like it immediately, I don't trust it. I didn't like this CD at all immediately, in fact, I felt like it was stifled somehow. Hazy. Muddled. Loud and distracting for no reason. And the songs seemed disconnected and all the same. So I gave it a break. Then I listened to it again. I was shocked at how catchy and clear it was. Each song suddenly took on a life of its own. Especially "Hounds of Love" which I didn't even know was a cover at the time. I've listened to it dozens of times since, and it's easily one of my all-time favorites. Classic. If more music like this is coming out of England, sign me up.

I know many may want to lump these guys into the current group of suspects of late 70's/80's post punk (Franz Ferdinand, Killers, Interpol, etc.) but I believe they stand apart. The influences I hear are XTC,The Jam, Gang of Four, Ramones, maybe a bit of the Psychedelic Furs. Though they have elements of these bands, they add thundering back beat drums(heavy kick drum), Ramones-like hi-hat timing and catchy hooks to the mix. I enjoyed all the tracks. I would recommend this CD to anyone who likes late 70's/80's catchy post-punk and anyone who is a fan of the above-mentioned bands.

What was the last reviewing thinking? This is by far one of the freshest, most consistent, razor-sharp rock CDs in recent memory, certainly one of the best debuts of the year - imagine early JAM pyrotechnics, Gang of Four stop/start rhythms, and XTC wordplay/wit, and you've got the Futureheads - nice artwork, too - why aren't these guys on MTV...yet?! Too bad MTV doesn't play music videos anymore, leave that to Fuse I guess. At any rate, pick this up now - track for track, not a bad song in the bunch, PLUS an awesome cover of Kate Bush's Hounds of Love - good taste, less filling!

Even from the very start of the poppy vocal introduction, this album is insanely catchy. After the first spin, there's no going back. The new new-wave thrash and vocals immediately following the dreamy introduction attack with such a force that it would simply be impossible to not get revved up. From opener "Le Garage" the album goes to "Robot," the quirkiest and catchiest of love songs. Then "A to B," a song about absolutely nothing at all. Is that a problem? No because it is one of the best examples of a shameless and wonderful repetition of a hook. Every song on this 15 track disc is positively full of a wonderful punk energy that was in dire need of reviving. And to top it off, the album closes even stronger than it opens, something that needs to happen a lot more in the world of pop music. The stunning "Hounds of Love" and "Man Ray" are the perfect way to close up such an energetic release. One of the most fun CDs to come out of anywhere in a while, The Futureheads is a must buy if you want to be moved by music again.

The Futureheads are a good and unique-sounding British post-punk group, but I would definitely not put this album up with the likes of Gang Of Four's "Entertainment!" or even the Talking Heads' "Talking Heads: 77". It lacks the charm and originality of those two albums, but that's not to say that this is bad. The first mistake the band makes is that the singers aren't that appealing - I can definitely imagine a good amount of people not liking them. They just lack the personality or charisma that, say, David Byrne had. However, they aren't "terrible" and are certainly standable, which is good (they're similar to Kaiser Chiefs' singer). There are no bad songs here, but there are some ok and good ones - there's nothing great and memorable here like, say, Bloc Party's "Banquet" or "Helicopter" ("Aims" comes close). Lyrically the album is easy to make out most of the time and is relatively interesting albeit very forgettable. You'll pay attention to the lyrics, yes, but you won't remember any of them. Musically it sounds like any other post-punk band out there today, so nothing really new here. Basically, post-punk fans will enjoy this album, but not "greatly". I'm pretty sure that non-genre fans won't like it that much. Slightly recommended.

Highlights include:
the entire album!

I wouldn't call the Futureheads punk, rather like one of their biggest influences XTC (that's early XTC, pre pre Skylarking) once said "this is POP." And damn good energetic and melodic pop it is too, like a jolt of caffeine to yer back brain accompanied by a boot in the pants. Sure you could call The Futureheads '80s revivalist trendmongering, but then you'd miss out on all the fun.

this incredible album owes everything it is to the XTC album Drums and Wires....good. glad we got that out of the way. This album is....incredible. If you're like me and grew up with those punk/new wave pioneers from Swindon, the ever fantastic XTC, then this album came into the world just for you.check it out. it's too good to pass up. One thing i really enjoy is the Jellyfish-type way the whole band sings on each song, not just the lead singer. Lovely!
download this track: Meantime

What a debut CD. Sunderland foursome The Futureheads are atop the new wave of great garagey new rock to come out of England this year. With punchy vocals, snaky rhythms, and smart suits, this band is destined for greatness. Their 2005 tour with Bloc Party and The Killers is heavy indication of brilliance.

The Futureheads are at their best when lurching dizzily over schoolyard-sounding rhymes like on the catchy standout single "Decent Days and Nights," which opens without a pause, "this is a brand new problem, a problem without any clues / if you know the clues it's easy to get through." Lead singer Barry Hyde conjures up a young and slaphappy persona with his necessary vocal and bodily undulation in every performance. What's especially great is when The Futureheads are in unison over a half-syllable or phrase, or singing "oh-oh" while Barry plays footie with the main lyric. This band has got it together.

The entire CD is a speedy ride though, over head-shaking tunes like "Le Garage" and "Stupid and Shallow," you're done in less than 40 minutes. "Remote Control" and "Piece of Crap" are two additional songs not on the CD that do the same cool mod shimmy.

To be honest, if you have heard of this band, and if you own this CD I will immediately think you are cool. Do yourself a favor.