Howling Bells - Radio Wars (Independiente)
3/5
By: Richard Brant
BUY DOWNLOAD - £5.00 SALE!The success of The Howling Bells' eponymous debut album resulted in a generous two year European tour and a long delay for their second submission. Radio Wars is almost having to convey their brand of melancholic rock all over again to an audience that has since evolved as things have moved on somewhat.
I have to admit though, that this throw back is depressingly refreshing (never thought I'd use those two words together) and quite abrasive to the current trend of electronic upbeat indie dance, electro, cross over...whatever you will. A doleful spanner is thrown in the works with its routes firmly in the minor scales.
The intriguing Treasure Hunt almost seems to be a nod to the fact they are aware that they've taken their time to come back. "We're marching forward looking backward hunting for treasure again" they sing, as if to describe a desire to rekindle their past form. The sound has become thicker in their absence as resonating chords surround tracks with a blanket of sound. 'Cities Burning Down' is certainly a track that elevates itself as Juanita Stein's eerie vocals accompanied by thumping drums and reliable guitar plucks bursts in to a quite unexpected chorus coated in synths.
This new found oomph is exhibited throughout Radio Wars with tracks like 'Nightingale' displaying Goldfrapp connotations but further encompassed by the enriched synthetic sounds, melancholy vocals and jangling guitar strikes. On 'Golden Web' Stein's pure, lingering voice is complimented by characteristic howling support vocals and spider like metaphoric guitar plucks which really help to engage the listener. In addition 'In to the Chaos' throws a descending vocal hook adjoined by enticing drumbeats to reel one in (yes, terrible clichéd hook/reel fishing pun).
Asides from 'Let's Be Kids Again' and 'Digital Hearts', which are a couple of the more "upbeat" numbers which are pleasant enough, other tracks such as 'Ms. Bell's Song' and 'How Long' fail to captivate, proceeding to drag on and outstay their welcome a little. Yet on the whole it's not a bad return from the Aussies. Their prolonged prior absence does mean it takes some time to tune back in to their particular sound, but once you've done that, it's eerily enjoyable. If you've some unwanted extra happiness about you, Radio Wars will knock you right back in to shape.
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