For those not already familiar with this band, I should probably introduce 'The View' prior to reviewing their most recent and third album, 'Bread and Circuses'. 'The View' are a Scottish band from Scotland's 'City of Discovery', Dundee. Bursting on to the scene in 2006 with their single 'Wasted Little DJs' from debut album, 'Hats Off to the Buskers' (2007) they grabbed the attention of the music press as Scotland's version of the Libertines or more so Arctic Monkeys (who at that time were riding the crest of a wave). They certainly share the same rapid guitar rhythms, quickfire lyrical delivery and maintain their strong colloquial accents in Monkeys fashion.
I won't pretend to be able to understand or deliver all of the words when singing in to my hair brush, but those I do get are cleverly composed and thoroughly enjoyable. This is highlighted in the aforementioned debut single, 'Wasted Little DJs' where the chorus is "Astedwae ittlae ejaysdae"...perhaps 'The View's' version of Clockwork Orange's language, 'Nadsat'. The 14 track debut is probably their best. 'Coming Down' kicks the album off as it is set to continue and provides a solid intro to what these lot are all about...raw, grungy, indie sound with husky vocals from singer, Kyle Falconer. 'Superstar Tradesman' and 'Same Jeans' are equally plausible tunes. Some more chilled out ballads like 'Face for the Radio', 'Grans for Tea' and 'Claudia' are nice wee diversions before reverting back to the rockin' sounds of 'Street Lights' and 'Wasteland'. The debut album hit top spot on the UK album chart on release and was also nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2007.
The follow up to 'Hats Off to the Buskers' came in the form of 'Which Bitch?' in February 2009. This was a release that completely passed me by...I only heard about it and picked it up in early 2010. This perhaps underlines the lack of fervour surrounding the album, which itself and the three singles that were released from it, performed poorly in the UK chart. That said, it was up there near the top of my play list in 2010...I like it a lot. There's no significant change from the debut...maybe a little more produced and less raw, but the formation of gentler ballads accompanied by crude, poppy-rock tunes still work for me. '5 Rebecca's' follows the autobiographical themes and poetic delivery of many of the 'Hats Off to the Buskers' songs. 'Unexpected' is just that...almost classical and operatic with a tender and more gentle 'The View' relying heavily on strings for this track. 'Glass Smash' is one of the best songs in their repertoire as far as I'm concerned. Fast, furious, rocking and getting the very best out of Kyle's harsh voice and poetic delivery. From the rough and tumble of 'Glass Smash' we fall in to something of a dreamworld with 'Distant Dubloon'. It's like something that should feature in a 'Tim Burton' movie. 'Covers' is another dreamy little song featuring fellow Scottish pop singer, 'Paolo Nutini' before 'Double Yellow Lines' and 'Shock Horror' again blows that tone to smithereens. The latter has a fantastic, rambunctious sound to it. 'Give Back the Sun' and 'Gem of a Bird' are clever sultry little songs with a happy go lucky feel...maybe even tracks for the summer.
It seems that I may have gotten a little carried away in my introduction of the band, but hope it set the scene for the main event, the review of 'The View's' latest and third album, 'Bread and Circuses'.
There is certainly a slight wave of maturity in this album, but I am still undecided as to whether this is a good thing or not for 'The View's' music. With many tales of drink and drug fueled parties among other misdemeanours over the years, this may have been a conscious decision by the band and their management team. For me, the beauty of their music is that raw, rough and ready Libertinesque/Undertones sound. This album has a lot softer approach more synonymous with a Fleetwood Mac.
The album begins with first single release, 'Grace' which is decent. This is more Libertines/Babyshambles in sound with a pretty cool little guitar riff throughout and smooth, but tight lyrics by Kyle. The next few songs follow this melodious path, culminating in, 'Life' which is a tribute to Kyle's late mother. Nice and pleasurable songs to listen to, but nothing much more than that. 'Friend' is a fantastic and emotional effort that highlight Kyle's ability to pen some fairly strong lyrics with "bye bye bye bye Bible, bye bye bye bye Faith...the girl that I'd be speaking to all night, has left me for my friend." Simple, but very effective in this jazzy, soulful little number. 'Blondie' is another song fairly basic in composition and lyrically, but it's a toe tapping song that you unwillingly find yourself humming along to. 'Walls' gets back to the bluesy, filthy sounds that I prefer with Kyle utilising the full range of his vocal range in this one.
'Happy' and 'Best Lasts Forever' are again very melodic and emotional tunes that I didn't associate with 'The View' of yesteryear. I mean they are decent and I enjoy having this album on during a quiet night in, but it lacks the get up and go sounds of prior releases. These types of ballads are probably more expected from Coldplay or the likes. The album ends perhaps comically with a circus like (to match the albums title) tune called, 'Witches'. Quirky and similar beat to 'Distant Dubloon' on the previous album.
It's not a bad third album, but the truth be told, probably the weakest of the three they have released. Despite liking some of the softer stuff, it's a plea to get back to the razor sharp edginess and roughness that I loved in 'Hats Off...' and 'Which Bitch?' (both of which I would rate in the 8/10 range). Rating 6.5/10
Perhaps 'The View' need to get out on the road more seriously in order to promote their music better. They have good sounds and a talented lead singer in terms of both songwriting and delivery of songs. Sure they pitch up at many of the UK festivals, but generally play to smaller venues in the UK during the remainder of the year and don't appear to do any significant touring outside of that. Perhaps they aren't as good as I think and I'm just being overly patriotic.
Wasted Little DJs - from 'Hats Off to the Buskers'
Glass Smash - from 'Which Bitch?'
Blondie - from 'Bread and Circuses'
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