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We Are Scientists ‘With Love And Squalor’

added 17 October 2005 at 10.46

Some would argue that the words ‘New’, ‘York’, ‘Jerky’, ‘Indie’ and ‘Rock’ seem to be cropping up a little too much in the current musical climate. But while many groups tend to be fronted by small yelping yapper-type dogs, in singer Keith Murray, WAS have a frontman that instead of posing in the corner of the club actually sounds like he, y’know, cares.

It’s this difference that makes We Are Scientists debut so palatable as, while the bass-drums-guitar trio try their damnedest to bring some light and shade musically it’s Murray’s vocals (ably harmonised by bass player Chris Cain and drummer Michael Tapper) that hold the attention. Of the album’s highlights, first single ‘Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt’ showcases the band’s energy and knack for a hook (even if Murray does rhyme “Explo-o-o-o-ode” with “Whoah-oah-oah-oah-oah”), while second single ‘The Great Escape’ is yet more finely tuned power-pop.
 
A deceptively simple concept, ‘With Love And Squalor’ oozes honey-coated style and energy to the extent that it’s actually possible for tracks to pass by suddenly in 3-minute bursts of high-octane guitars’n’bass’n’drums clatter. However, in amongst the guitar gutter punches, there is some depth here. ‘Textbook’ is a notably slower contrast with Murray opining “Twist my arm if that’s the way you think you’re going to work this whole thing out”, while the reggae groove of ‘Can’t Lose’ suggests this is a band with more ideas than they chose to utilise this time around.
 
Never short of a catchy hook, WAS’s immediacy may be their downfall as the song structures tend to overshadow the undeniable detail. However, with a little love and attention ‘With Love And Squalor’ is a debut album to be proud of and undeniably a fat marker pen X on the calendar for ones to watch in the future.
 
(Oh and finally, this review was never going negative because their website is utter, unadulterated comedy genius. All hip-thrusting, moustache aficionados should check out www.wearescientists.com immediately).

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