Layabouts - Savage Behavior

  by Tom Fogarty

published: 11 / 11 / 2011

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I’ve always been a sucker for a good opening track. You can often tell what you’re going to get from an album from the first few bars alone, and so it is with 'Savage Behavior' – the latest album from Madrid rockers, the Layabouts. I was hooked from the opening guitar riff of track one, 'Rock’s Dead'. Thumping beat, driving guitars, the influence of Guns ‘n’ Roses is clear to see here. And I mean the era when Guns ‘n’ Roses were actually good, and considered a real force to be reckoned with. Although trite, the lyrics manage to sound earnest enough and might even make you smile. The rest of the album doesn't disappoint either. The second song, 'Fire', feels a little bit like Placebo (albeit without Brian Molko’s annoying whiney voice), or could even be an early Joy Division number. Although this is clearly a rock album, the Layabouts seem to draw influences from many sources of inspiration: at times sounding like modern rock giants, Queens of The Stone Age, at other times, 50's teddy-boy doo-wop, skiffle, or 70's UK ska. Even so 'Savage Behavior' never sounds like stolen material or a tribute album but instead manages to remain modern and fresh, despite the eclectic range of source material. Although there are no bad tracks on here, other highlights include' To the End' (reminiscent of garage era Clash), 'It’s All Dead', 'Rollercoaster' and 'Numbers Figures' (with a doth of the cap to the Melvins, perhaps). What shines out throughout is that the Layabouts obviously love all aspects of good rock music, and love what they do. 'Savage Behavior' is a short album (barely 30 minutes long) but doesn't leave you feeling short-changed. As soon as I'd finished listening I immediately wanted to play it over again. And I did, several times. And that can only be good thing. It’s fair to say the Layabouts have had a good year in 2011; a successful tour – including a slot on the main stage in their hometown for Benicassim. On the evidence of this album, I can’t wait to see them play.

Track Listing:-

1 Rocks Dead
2 Fire
3 Falling Over (The Man Who Broke the Law)
4 Chevy
5 To the End
6 River of the Moon
7 Rollercoaster
8 Numbers Figures
9 On My Side
10 It's All Dead

Band Links:-

http://www.layaboutsband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/layabouts
https://twitter.com/Layaboutsband
https://www.youtube.com/user/Layabouts
https://plus.google.com/117379984963138583003

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