The fourth studio album from Welsh band Lostprophets has been some time coming, but the wait was well worth it. ‘The Betrayed’ due for release in January 2010, takes us through a combination of musical styles – with some songs reminiscent of the progressive rock style of the first album ‘The Fake Sound Of Progress’ combined with more radio friendly songs (A Better Nothing, Where We Belong) that are similar style to hugely popular 2006 release ‘Liberation Transmission.’
What Ian Watkins and co. have accomplished in the making of this album, is finding a happy medium, and a happy balance between keeping new and old fans happy (think to 2nd album, ‘Start Something’)
The album opens on the crashing drums, introducing us to the first song cleverly titled ‘If It Wasn’t For Hate, We’d Be Dead By Now.’ After the first minute, Ian Watkins vocals reach that soaring level we are so accustomed to. Not quite Liberation Transmission, not quite Fake Sound of Progress.
The first obvious thing is the heavy emphasis and focus on some solid drums and clever guitar work. Where for the majority of Liberation Transmission, Watkins vocals had a more focal role, with the odd guitar solo thrown in (‘4AM forever etc.), in The Betrayed you can’t help but notice the obvious emphasis being placed on the instruments, creating a heavier sound, not un-similar to their original style.
The second track ‘Dstryr and Dstryr’ has a similarity to song ‘Burn Burn’ (‘Start Something’) with midpoint in the song Ian’s soft vocals building up to become louder, making it the sort of song you just want to chant along to.
The lyrics and build up in this one – ‘Destroyer, destroyer we live inside of you’ is in a very similar style to the point in Burn Burn – ‘Burn Burn, for us, for them, for you.’ The defiance in this song and in ultimately in the album is that trademark Lostprophets style that had been previously missing from Liberation Transmission.
Track ‘It’s Not The End Of The World But I can See it From Here’ may as well been stamped with ‘Lostprophets.’ It is the Lostprophets we are accustomed too, whether they are leaning towards progressive rock, or being more mainstream – catchy lyrics and tune, awesome guitar solo, and Ian’s distinctive vocals.
‘Where We Belong’ is an obvious single choice for the band, with the lyrics portraying the journey taken towards the making of the album.
Personal favourites and stand out tracks from the CD, would probably have to be ‘Dstryr Dstryr, If It Wasn’t For Hate We’d Be Dead Right Now,’ ‘Streets Of Nowhere’ (the boys at their mainstream best- try not singing along to this song) and ‘Next Stop Atro City’ (An awesomely fast paced song, catchy lyrics and because who doesn’t like a song that showcases Ian Watkins screaming vocals.)
Overall, I would recommend picking up a copy of this CD. Lostprophets have made a real effort to keep older and newer fans happy, and it has paid off for them. After a 3 year gap between CDs it’s great to hear some fresh tunes from the boys. As guitarist Stuart Richardson states, the album is ‘No bullshit, no tricks; raw, pissed off, and catchy as f***.’ And if you’re anything like me, you couldn’t ask for anything better or anything more from Lostprophets. Except maybe an Australian tour sometime in the future...
8/10
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It's a nice review and I'm really looking forward to listening to the album, but isn't The Betrayed going to be released on January 2010? Where did you get to it so early, if I may ask? I'm curious.
ReplyDeleteI write for a website .. www.theaureview.com.. so I was able to review it through them!
ReplyDeletewhat is your opinion about the song "the light that burns twice as bright" im just curios, awesome review!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm also interested in about "The Light That Burns Twice As Bright" What instruments did it include?
ReplyDeleteAmazing review, thanks!
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ReplyDeleteI am begining to like this album. The track 'A Better Nothing' is amazing!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the thing i miss the most about this band are jamie's decks. I can and have found numerous parts of songs where a certain scratch or something more effect than something disco sounding would boost the sound completly!
The last minute and a half of 'Dirty Little Heart' is an attempt to do something like they did in 'start something'... but honestly, without scratching.. it's uncomparable!
It's a shame, i don't know why they've stopped these effects, in my opinion it's what "made" them different to other bands of this era!
Love this band and this is a really great review, I agree with everything you've written! I just posted a review of this album on my blog too: http://rockandrebelblog.blogspot :) x
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled upon your blog - I too love music, and keep track of what I listen to in my blog. I spent last year in Sydney, and discovered Triple J, and Rage. Because of those, I learned about, Cut Off Your Hands, British India, Hungry Kids of Hungary among others. If you could, could you please send a link to any other sites I might discover new Australian bands (now that I'm back here on the East Coast of the U.S? :/ )
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