Razorlight - Razorlight (Vertigo)
4/5
By: Matt Tomiak
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To put it clinically, Razorlight have acquired some new influences, and they're now just as shameless about pilfering from 80s stadium rockers as they were plundering cult late 70s post-punk on 'Up All Night.' But that's only half the story. Altogether more intriguing than who they're now listening to is the development in Johnny Borrell's songwriting. Imperious, self-possessed loudmouth no longer- 'Razorlight' has Johnny displaying rampant self-awareness, introspection and - gasp!- something close to humility.
Whilst still guilty of administering the most transparent of rip-offs, there is far more depth and substance than on the band's debut album. A generous man would say that musically speaking 'Who Needs Love?' 'owes a debt' to Bruce Springsteen's 'Hungry Heart'. A less gracious individual might suggest that Borrell was simply taking the piss. Let's just say they're very similar. However, it represents the grand themes pervading this record are broad in scope: fame, excess, ambition, the uncertainty of the future. Here we'll find Johnny's denouncing the rock n'roll lifestyle and companionship in general: 'I'm sick of love/I've taken more than enough' he laments; think Weezer's 'Tired of Sex' meets - and here's Springsteen again- 'Dancing In The Dark'. The next he's expounding with wide-eyed candor on a lifelong fascination with The Land Of The Free on the U2-aping 'America.' It's remarkably candid, poignant and might just be the album's finest moment yet: the antithesis of the grubby little unambitious shminide dirge. Then he's waxing philosophical on 'I Can't Stop This Feeling I've Got.' Christ, there's even a track entitled 'Before I Fall To Pieces.'
All told, it's a long, long way from the 'Golden Touch.' 'Back To The Start' sounds like 'Roxanne' by the Police, and may not, in hindsight, have been such a good idea. Nevertheless, 'Razorlight' represents a massive step forward. Last time around, Borrell assuredly did not have the 'walk' to match the 'talk.' This time he does. So, Razorlight; for daring to peer above the parapet, we salute you.
Artists in this article: Razorlight
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