KEY POINTS:
Herald rating: * * * *
Label: Virgin
Verdict: An excellent second effort that nearly lives up to the band's bold claims.
Before releasing this album, frontman Luke Pritchard told NME magazine he wanted the band's sophomore effort to be big. "I've got an ego ... I want our singles to come on the radio and for people to literally have their heads blown off by them."
Credit where credit's due, the first single Always Where I Need to Be became an instant radio hit, with its rollicking, upbeat rhythm and singalong chorus. Mr Maker is set to be a chart-topper with its swinging harmonies, hand-clapping and perfect hooks. It is the quintessential pop song. The type of song, one imagines, the Beatles could have written.
The slow-building See The Sun is a mellow but enticing opener, encouraging listeners to savour the upcoming album. It also showcases the superb talents of guitarist Hugh Harris.
The acoustic guitar and haunting vocals of One Last Time reveal the boys have the talent to slow things down and still appeal, while Stormy Weather and Do You Wanna showcase a gruntiness not heard on their debut.
But while the singles are excellent, some bits in between are forgettable and the closer All Over Town should have been cut completely.
