Ever since the Courteeners emerged they’ve been all cock and no balls. If you’re going to strut about telling people you’re the best thing since sliced bread then you need something to back that up with, and unfortunately they didn’t. Just because you’re from Manchester, can knock up a half-decent tune and you dress like a Gallagher, doesn’t make you the next best thing.
So I was pleasantly surprised when I heard this new track. It’s a departure from the bland, middle of the road produced drivel of their first album, and focuses more on melodies and less on guitar which seems to work well for them. It’s definitely a step in the right direction, albeit a moody one that sits comfortably with Liam Fray’s fervently delivered vocal. Regardless of its qualities, its still not quite good enough to cement their names in Manchester’s rock n’ roll hall of fame, not by a long shot, unless the rest of the album is phenomenal of course.
Cross My Heart And Hope To Fly almost sounds like a response to being boxed up in the bog-standard ‘NME indie band’ bracket, which if they weren’t careful they’d be stuck in for eternity. This may well win over some new fans, and it may lose a few who either prefer the old sound or just want them to grow a pair, plug the guitars in turn them up to 11. Either way, this is a decent effort and a very welcome surprise from a band who sound like they’ve found their feet and at least aren’t hopping on the electro bandwagon that’s vomiting all over the industry, thank fuck.
Matt Humphrey
Very dull, uninspiring and cliched. Cross My Heart And Hope To Fly on the otherhand is actually quite refreshing and – dare I say – decent. Perhaps the reviewer should indeed grow a pair, plug in his headphones and stick to producing bog-standard ‘NME style’ reviews of bands from the South-East of England who played a gig in a crisp packet and whose daddy paid for all of their equipment, PR, marketing and production; and orgasm about how they are ‘totally’ the next Libertines because they one got drunk and got on the wrong bus home.
I’m more than happy to read feedback on my work, whether it be positive or negative, and I agree that the song is decent. However, you seem to be under the impression that I’m a huge fan of ‘NME’ type bands, and I’m not sure how you came to that conclusion. Either way much of your anger (half your paragraph) is aimed toward these bands for which I’m afraid I can claim no responsibility. Try directing that anger at those in the industry and not someone who is merely writing a review.
I think the 1st album is mega and the new songs which i heard at the Manchester Central gig sound great. Best band outta Manchester for a while and i hope they are the next big thing.
shocking review i am afriad, st jude is a master peice! this song is refreshing after waiting for the 2nd album for a while now, 10 thousand people at manchester central on friday would beg to differ on your review and i would go as far as saying this was the best gig iv been to, the antmosphere was electric also warmed up by the whip & buzzcocks 19.50 well spent!!!! GOD BLESS THE BAND!!!!!!