published: 7 /
11 /
2006
Label:
Glaze Records
Format: CD
Long awaited debut album which lives up to all expectations from Anglo-American band Five O’Clock Heroes, whose influences include American indie punk bands and also both classic British groups such as the Clash and the Jam and recent bands like the Futureheads
Review
‘Bend to the Breaks’ is the long awaited and much anticipated debut album from Anglo-American band Five O’Clock Heroes. These four guys show Tony Blair and George W. Bush a thing or two about how our respective countries can work well together, with each other, rather than one merely following the other.
There is a definite feel of the music of both countries as well. Some of the songs such as ‘Head Games’ and ‘Number Again’ have a big American indie punk sound, while others such as ‘Time on My Hands’ and ‘Good Lovers’ scream of the British influence of such classic bands as the Clash and the Jam and also more modern Brit rockers like the Futureheads.
The fact that the lead vocals come from the British side of the band with Anthony Ellis gives, with his very obvious accent, a very British feel to much of the music, but the American production of Eli Janney, who is best known for his work with Girls Against Boys, also shines through. This gives 'Bend to the Brakes' a simple no-nonsense feel without any of the over styled pretentiousness that sometimes seem to over flow from the likes of Razorlight.
Yet for all their obvious influences Five 'O' Clock Heroes have their own distinct sound. You can imagine songs such as 'Corporate Boys' and 'skin Deep' sticking out on the radio and being recognisable for their up beat yet grounded feel. It is the sound of a band having fun and making their own potential indie classics.
The band manage to fuse little bits of punk, ska, indie rock in a similar way to the Clash on 'London Calling', where n oone genre seemed to stick out. Any influences are brought out in a subtle way which the ‘Heroes have every right to call their own. Just when you think you’ve heard all the highlights of the album, one of the real stand out songs, ‘White Girls’ comes out of nowhere to let you know the Five 'O' Clock Heroes are a band who don’t let up at any point.
This an album that could as well be a second or third album from a well established band. It certainly doesn’t feel like a first release.
An excellent debut.
Track Listing:-
1
Head Games
2
Anybody Home
3
Time On My Hands
4
Run To Her
5
Want Your Number
6
Good Lovers
7
Skin Deep
8
Corporate Boys
9
Stay The Night
10
White Girls
11
In Control
12
Give It Up