I’ve made no secret of the fact that I adore this band, so the very moment State of Emergency went on sale in Australia, I imported myself a copy. Well, that’s not strictly true. I imported myself two copies - The Standard CD and Limited Edition with bonus DVD (the now de-rigeur ritual for a rock band). Relatively unknown in the UK compared to Jet, The Vines, The Datsuns and Silverchair, The Living End were always superior in skill and songwriting. Debut album being rockabilly and punk influenced would probably have not lent themselves to a mainstream audience.
Roll on deserved more coverage than it had, despite a KKKKK review in Kerrang, and praise abound from Zane Lowe, sales seemed dormant in the UK. Sadly Lead singer/guitarist Chris Cheney’s car crash meant an extended gap would appear before a follow-up could be recorded. At which time, Trav Dempsey quit as drummer. They recruited Polyanna drummer Andy Strachan. Cheney
If anything, State of Emergency reinforces that belief. The difference compared to Modern Artillery, it sounds much, much fuller. Thanks are largely due to producer of former offering Roll On Nick Launay (Midnight Oil, INXS, PiL) who returned to make it sound edgier. Launay being a fan of big room sounds, the levels and acoustics are certainly stronger this time around.
The mission statement from Cheney was this album had to ‘kick Artillery’s arse’. The opening signs are promising. Till the end is gung-ho in its delivery and proves to be one incendiary introduction worthy of their classics. Songs like Long Live the Weekend, We Want More, What’s on your Radio and Reborn all have the infectious grunting melodies, and killer punch of previous albums. There are signs of development too. Wake up is intense and hooky, and comparisons will continue till the cows come home concerning the Pink Floyd-like children’s choir singing “Suicidal Education. It got sold to our generation.” Written around the time of the London Bombings, this has the activity of Vesuvius, and when it explodes the passion and anger coarse through your veins.
However, moving through the album there is a fundamental flaw compared to the other albums. The lyrics are certainly not as strong or descriptive. Cheney used to scream at the top of his lungs for an alternative to the death penalty, or plead for someone to take his intoxicated arse back to his castle. Now he sings “I tired to call but you hung up on me - you’re not making any sense singing one last time.” In what context is that meant to be in? He seems less about speaking up for the underdog, and more about damaging relationships.
Going back to Artillery, Tabloid Magazine was a vivid argument against the Hello’s and OK’s of this world, and bet Stereophonics snipe at their own critics’ hands down. But songs like No Way Out leave you wondering what’s the point? What’s on you radio for all its unbridled energy is lyrically repetitive, and Nothing Lasts Forever takes quite a leap from providing social commentary to the more general line of ‘everything dies eventually’ - the sanctity of marriage has been better tackled.
There are some redeeming features. Nowhere Town could easily be Hot Hot Heat without synthesizers - with that infectious ska syncopation. Long Live the Weekend is an expansion of Ordinary Boys’ Week in, Week Out but kicks ass where Preston and Co. would be too busy chewing bubblegum, and Into the Red is classic blues jam Acca Dacca would be proud of.
Frenetic in its assault, State of Emergency promises much and delivers one of the best rock albums this year so far. Just not the best album released by the Living End. If Cheney wanted to release their best album, he should have been aiming for Roll on.
Craig Aston.
Related Links:
Your Favourite New Band? The Living End.
Click here to talk about The Living End on the Garbled music forum.
Contact Us - About Us - Recommended Links - More Links - Forums - Search This Site