“And now the floodgates will open”- An accurate reference projected throughout the second, ferocious album of the bold and turbulent musical brilliance known as Enter Shikari. Back with a mighty and seemingly successful crash, these guys have engulfed us with another flood of powerful, acidic noise in their latest album Common Dreads.
Rewind back two years when Shikari bounded in head first with their debut album Take To The Skies. Remember that infectious reaction, the high speed adrenalin you felt when your eardrums first caught the sound of this hardcore haven? Well multiply that several times and you will have an idea of the impact Common Dreads has on your system. Outrageous and positively monstrous, this album has enough huff and puff to destruct anything.
Opening the album with the track title, everything seems mellow and rather peaceful. With a small verse implying ‘we must unite’ the track ends and introduces Solidarity. A flurry of electronic synths, integrated with the rumble of heavy drums and guitars, it is brimming with energy, as vocalist Roughton (Rou) Reynolds cries out across the melodramatic uproar, enforcing more electricity and spirit throughout.
Solidarity sets the wild and vigorous scene perfectly as the same structure remains throughout all 15 tracks. Whether it’s thunderous and frantic or even a innocent, sensational ballad (Gap In The Fence is pure gold) Shikari are armed and ready to fire.
Lyrics wise, the all too familiar Juggernauts wins. Incorporating speedy synths with a more Streets like sound vocally, this track is red hot! ‘Deep breaths, clenched fists, here comes another juggernaut’ are just an example of the crisp, meaningful words that initiate the mad hype...a hype so huge that blood vessels are likely to explode!
Hurling out their mental, head banging tracks for you to flavour, Shikari don’t let their tender side down when it comes to a slower more coherent sound. No Sleep Tonight, feeds you with classic rock vibes combined with more witty lyrics and the softer side of Rou’s sound. Wall is another hit on the album, with a supreme rhythm and a sound that will just simply make you smile.
However, for those who prefer the psychedelic, rage of Shikari, then Anterwen and Zzzonked are highly recommended. Hectic is another, the gem of all tracks, this song dominates the happy hardcore element of the album, generating a sound that is rich in techno beats, guitars and drums.
So have Shikari lived up to their expectations? With previous hits to beat, such as Jonny Sniper and the classic Enter Shikari, it would be fair to say that the sweat and determination poured into this album has paid off. Throughout the short time the band have been around, their recognition is soaring. With an increase in popularity it is fair to say their journey will continue.
You see, the great thing about Shikari is that they possess a unique talent no other act can grasp and it is talent that makes their expressive, lurid work a consumer must have.
Review by Sarah Brogden
User Comments
Comment by GUEST on 2009-08-15 04:54:07 Nice one
Comment by GUEST on 2009-08-15 16:47:15 Like it!
Heads up!
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