GROUPLOVE - Spreading Rumours

Release Date: September 17

Label: Atlantic Records

Rating: 6.0 out of 10

At some point in my life, I stopped discovering bands on MTV's Alternative Nation and begun discovering them on an exclusive Indie Rock Playlist, which I am not obliged to share with you (unless you know which one I am talking about - high 5!). In 2011 GROUPLOVE were on the January edition of this playlist with their song 'Colours'. I didn't quite know what to make of them, except to liken them to The Smashing Pumpkins or something. The main singer's wheedly voice was a bit annoying and overall I just wasn't so sure about the sound. And then I heard 'Tongue Tied' and 'Itchin' On A Photograph'. I was sold. When I got 'Never Trust A Happy Song' it quickly became my favourite LP of the year. I like nearly every track off that album and it remains one of my favourite debuts.

Having heard no single from 'Spreading Rumours' I had little expectations. I won't say I was disappointed, but it's basically yet another set of catchy hipster anthems. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not a particularly well thought out or cohesive album (I love a cohesive album).

Blow   by   blow:

1: I'm With You - Nearly inaudible piano builds and opens out to a soaring, drum driven, synth punctuated track that ends up sounds something very like a Crystal Fighters track. Good but not exceptional. Some misplaced strings open up to another one of Christians whiney parts. There are a lot of those on this album.

2: Borderlines And Aliens - From it's weird Blink 182 guitar riff opener, it finds a rhythm with an "Ori-ori-origato" hook. Something about superstitions. Again, not a particularly strong moment, but not a bad one.

3: Schoolboy - A familiar sounding riff. There's an "Ow!" and it breaks down. Sounds like any of the tracks off Never Trust A Happy Song. Again, good. Sensing a theme? They're not really breaking new ground, but the ground they're on is steady. For now.

4: Ways To Go - The leading single I never heard. Had I, I might not have anticipated the album so much. It's alright. More of Christian's screeching. A pleasant Crystal Fighter's vibe again. More of Hannah's quirky voice things. It's up and down and a lot of fun. This is what they do best.

5: Shark Attack - One of the more pointless tracks the album definitely could have done without. There are timid steel drums that last half a bar, before the chorus falls into some cheesy 90's rap before kicking into full on a faux-dubstep chorus. Then it's rinse, lather repeat. This time with a Lucifer voice effect. It builds. It drops. It's a bit of Caribbean sunshine, country whistling and dubstep rave. 'Natural disaster' is a bit right. Contrived.

6: Sit Still - Ok I know this is a band you can't take too seriously, but this is honestly the lowest of the low on the album. All effects are stripped away and this one is simply vocals, guitars and drums. With a bit of a piano accent. About not being able to sit still. Wtf.

7: Hippy Hill - We get low. This one is finally a different vibe. Slow and lilting, this is a song around the fire at night after the brownies. Catchy hooks and ironic message "I'd rather be a hippy than a hipster", this track, although slow, is a great refreshment. The bridge is dark and synthy and twisted. Didn't see that coming. Brilliant.

8: What I Know - Chiming guitar intro, well timed lyrics, a well restrained piece that is easy to like. They once again prove that they can easily combine hooks, screeches and moments of tenderness believably. Good balance here.

9: Didn't Have To Go - Starting off a sweet ballad, Hannah then starts angstily screaming about how he didn't have to go. Before kicking back into prom queen mode. Amusing and quite catchy with pleasingly aggressive guitars. The bridge gets lost as the song doesn't really know where to go.

10: Bitin' The Bullet - Another toe curling moment of cringe pop, something along the lines of a Jessie J song. Not worth listening to the end. Clown pop.

11: News To Me - Thankfully the clown pop is followed by one of the strongest moments on the album. Nothing new here - a building song triggered and accentuated by soft, strong guitar riffs.

12: Raspberry - More of their Smashing Pumpkin sound with a cleverly hooked song about a seasickness inducing trip. Hipster party in full swing here. Can't dislike this track.

13: Save The Party For Me - Channeling what initially sounds like the Beatles 'Blackbird', the song quickly kicks into a full on country-tinged folk ballad. A decent way to end the album, reminiscent of 'Cruel And Beautiful World'.

Overall it seems GROUPLOVE had no other mission with this album other than to simply make another album. For such creative people they really lacked focus and possibly inspiration, with most of the lyrical focus being on parties. In that respect it's hardly different from the average hip hop album. No songs about suicide on this record. It's not awful, but sometimes you just want a little something more out of a band so likeable. It's not offensive. Just a bit disappointing. Call it The Sophomore Curse. C'est la vie!
WVS

After riding in the back of the truck for four days, the Mexican immigrants finally made it to the US of A.