The Futureheads: 'This Is Not The World'

If The Futureheads’ self-titled first album was hot youth’s half yelled melodies ensconced in razor splinters, and the follow up, 'News And Tributes', was a self-conscious step towards maturity that occasionally lacked spontaneity, then 'This Is Not The World' is that rare thing: a happy marriage of the two.

What precisely it is that distinguishes The Futureheads from their copious musical kin remains intact. The four voices of the band continue to augment the sheet metal guitars to satisfying effect and the turbulent nature of their songs also remains; riffs plunge around apparently ignorant of any lead vocals, particularly on the gleeful 'Broke Up The Time'.

They’re an act that refuses to drop the ball lyrically. Consider the opening lines of 'Think Tonight' - a colourful segmented riff whirls around, then lead singer Barry Hyde sings “You put the colour in my eye, every time I get to see your smile… let’s take stock of the shock, how can we review, how can we review?”. These lines show just that little extra bit of thought and when delivered in that clumsy Geordie accent the payoff is very tasty indeed.

A comparison with US pop-punk act Weezer might initially sound implausible, but there is something in it. While Weezer crush their sunny sweet melodies beneath the colossal crunch of overdriven guitar, the ‘Heads tunefulness gleams off of the steel mesh of that same ubiquitous instrument.

One thing that must be said is that while twelve shards of wiry pop makes for a largely exhilarating listen, the album lacks a certain variety - even their debut had 'The Danger Of The Water'. After a few heady spins, like so much lurid WKD, it will swill away into the bladder and finally the open sea of vapidity that swarms our oceans of music. We should, however, be happy to greet again the UK indie scene’s very own Weezer, an act to bring sunshine to those of us that like our riffs askew and our tempo’s tightly wound.

Released on 26th May 2008 by Nul Records.

Written by Richard Wood.