New Rhodes - Everybody Loves a Scene

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 28 / 2 / 2009

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Review

Big in Japan. That’s how best to describe New Rhodes. This is criminal really because they should be shifting records by the van load and playing decent size venues over here as well. Since emerging back in 2005 and releasing their debut LP, 'Songs from the Lodge' the following year, New Rhodes have taken nearly two and a half years to come up with this follow up. Much of the momentum gathered back then has been lost, which ultimately may hinder their chances of finally cracking the big league this time round. As for the songs themselves, they are not as instant as those on 'Songs from The Lodge', but after a few plays 'Everybody Loves A Scene' is actually a stronger record, taking most of the good points from the predecessor and expanding on them. Lead single 'The Joys Of Finding And Losing A Girl' is a decent slab on indie pop hinting at a more upbeat Morrissey (if he had an eye for the ladies) and likewise the title track follows a similar vein. 'Let’s Talk ' is a classic drinking anthem, while 'The Bells Of St John' re-affirms the fact that the band are not just one paced merchants. The second half of the LP is even stronger with the final trio being the highlights, kicking off with 'Is This The Life You Want ?', which surely must be released as a single due to it instant pop classic appeal and according to singer James Williams “has anger tattooed all over it”. '254' is another pop nugget about falling for a girl on the 254 bus. We’ve all done it, but in my case it was probably the 477 to Bury! The final track is the lighters aloft 'You Can Have It All', which is not only a great song, but lyrically uplifting too. Hopefully, the old fans are still there and some new disciples can be attracted too, as New Rhodes are potentially better than 90’s Smiths copyists, Gene, which is actually a compliment.

Track Listing:-

1 Everybody Loves A Scene
2 Come Into The Room
3 The Joys Of Finding And Losing That Girl
4 Let's Talk
5 So Alone
6 The Bells Of St John
7 I'll Wait For You By The Coast
8 A&e
9 Is This The Life You Want
10 254
11 You Can Have It All