Thursday, 2 October 2008

Review - The Scenic - Find Yourself Here

The Scenic - Find Yourself Here

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3 out of 10

Not to be confused with Scenic; the older and less hairy band of the nineties, this pop-rock five piece, The Scenic from the US have doused their debut with layered vocals and melodies so rich they'll have you reaching for your toothbrush to wash away the bitter-sweet stains left in your mouth.

Far from dark, Light's Out is an energetic opener in which you can imagine much hi-fives and nods in unison, whereas Armageddon's slower and wistful tones show the light is actually going out.

It's a jump from last year's EP, It's A Secret To Everyone. Not only have the boys grown in numbers (The Scenic were formerly a four-piece) but this mature, punk-rock-pop amalgamation has coming-of-age written not just in it's title, Find Yourself Here, it's all over it, making it an apt contender for a soundtrack to a big budget US teen movie. And, as the seagulls squawk for Bon Voyage, Mr Bones, you could actually envisage a scene from this film as you are taken to the sunny seaside. This band manage to blur the lines between the solemn Saves The Day and plastic McFly dolls in this song with it's cabaret styled chorus which would be ripe for a dance routine where holiday reps dressed in yellow outfits with matching hats could appear from nowhere and wave their hands.

Back to that sweet and sombre tone again then, as the piano is pulled out for the one stand out track, Take You Down which sees singer Jeremy Menards vocals explore the realms of big ballads, before the guitar formula and grand choruses are back for Are You Down.

For those that like their punk-rock served on a preppy pop plate then this will feed your cravings, as the album and band essentially do what they say on the tin, with little surprises on the way.

Listen: www.myspace.com/thescenic

Tracklist:
1. Lights Out
2. American Way
3. Armageddon
4. Hold Me Close
5. Bon Voyage Mr. Bones
6. Take Your Time
7. Are You Down
8. And We Collide
9. Notice Me
10. Direction
11. All My Friends
12. Follow

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