Dears - Gang Of Losers

by Anthony Strutt

published: 20 / 8 / 2006

Label: Select Label
Format: CD

Britpop-influenced second album from much hyped Canadian rockers, the Dears

Review

The Dears return with 'Gang of Losers', their second UK release album after 2004's 'No Cities' It is a more political album. Even the cover is an anti war statement. It opens with 'Sinthtro', an instrumental, which is based around an organ and sounds like a Gothic silent movie theme. 'Ticket to Immortality', the first single from the album, has a Brit pop vibe and recollects Blur in singer Murray Lightburn's vocal and in its musical direction. 'Death or Life, We Want You' is grungy in tone before it slows right down to repeat the formula of 'Ticket to Immortality'. 'Hate Then Love' recalls 'Parklife'and Blur when they thought they would have a go at being the Kinks. 'There Goes My Outfit' sounds like Badly Drawn Boy. 'Bandwagoneers' is very jolly and happy, while 'Fear Made the World Go Round' is a very strong political song about the world today, and how war divides us and religious beliefs change everything. It starts off sounding a hymn, before becoming mushy. 'You and I are a Gang of Losers'is a very beautifully sung romantic anthem, while 'Whites Only Party' is an ode against racism. It combines funk beats with a Smiths vibe. 'Ballad of Human Kindness' sounds at first like a demo with its Plastic Ono Band grooves. A trumpet solo makes it sound slightly twee, before it speeds up and ends up sounding like the late Arthur Lee's band, Love. 'I Fell Deep' is a moody number with dark grooves, while 'Find Our Way to Freedom', which closes the album, has a Mississipi blues feel.

Track Listing:-

1 Sinthtro
2 Ticket To Immortality
3 Death Or Life We Want You
4 Hate Then Love
5 There Goes My Outfit
6 Bandwagoneers
7 Fear Made The World Go 'Round
8 You And I Are A Gang Of Losers
9 Whites Only Party
10 Ballad Of Humankindness
11 I Fell Deep
12 Find Our Way To Freedom