The Front Bottoms - Back On Top Review

The Front Bottoms - Back On Top

Callum Thornhill

The Front Bottoms have released their fifth album - Back On Top. As the title suggests they are back to their peak of brilliance after a two year wait since last album, Talon Of The Hawk. Over the past four albums The Front Bottoms have time and time again released upbeat sing-a-along tracks. Witty lyrics combined with sharp guitar riffs and a drum beat based tracks.

Back On Top starts with Motorcycle, the New Jersey four piece once again playing wonderfully constructed storytelling style tracks. The style of music is recognisable, the New Jersey vocal twang is still present, but there is something more to Back On Top than in previous releases.

Summer Shandy gives a happy, summery, chilled out vibe - similarly present in  The track sounds more 'mature' than previously, however you can still clearly hear the boyish charm of Brian Sella. This continues into the introduction of track three, Cough It Out, before quick spoken lyrics accompany a typical Front Bottoms instrumentation.

HELP, track four of Back On Top, echoes the sound of their self titled 2011 album. For me it is the highlight of the strong album. Sella's vocals are magnificent and the hooks will have you air guitaring subtly as you listen. Laugh Till I Cry mentions the use of cars and motorcycles. This combined with opening track Motorcycle gives the impression that Back On Top is a journey with The Front Bottoms and by the end of the record you'll certainly feel that way.

Historic Cemetery references "getting high and hanging out" - The Front Bottoms sound makes you feel that that's exactly what you should be doing whilst listening to them. Sella's vocal is full of sorrow and seemingly apologetic. This drainy sound continues into The Plan (Fuck Jobs). The instrumentation is blended perfectly, using each instrument wisely and not overloading the ear with unnecessary sounds.

Penultimate track West Virginia starts with a morbid ambiance of slow strumming over the sound of raindrops. As the drainy vocals glide over the combination, the track picks up into a Front Bottoms-esque signature sound. Plastic Flowers starts again with a morbid energy, likewise to West Virginia it picks up to the drum based sound that is so familiar throughout Back On Top.
 
Metaphors are used heavily throughout Back On Top, if you knew of The Front Bottoms before the new records you'll be relieved to know that the style is very similar. I'd say Back On Top is most similar to Rose EP and Talon Of The Hawk, but the sound is diving deep into the roots of the band.

Tame Impala Live Review

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Tame Impala - Olympia, Liverpool (9/9/15)

Callum Thornhill

 Aussie psych rockers Tame Impala played two sold out UK headline gigs before their slot at Bestival.

Playing Glasgow's Barrowlands and Liverpool's Olympia, they performed hits from new albums Currents, along with tracks from previous albums Lonerism and Innerspeaker.

Last night it was Liverpools turn to be entertained by Kevin Parker and co. supported by Pond frontman and former Tame Impala bassist Nick Allbrook. The crowd was full of fans from all over the UK, as well as a couple of Estonians. Crazily dedicated fanatics!

Tame Impala kicked off their set with Let It Happen, this combined with the lasers overlaying the band was both a visual and audio dream.

Rattling through Lonerism tracks Mind Mischief and Why Won't They Talk To Me? before Currents hit (and personal favourite from the album) The Moment. The tracks were introduced by Parker in his typically humble approach, almost apologising that the band had never visited Liverpool before.

It is rare to find a band that are as good, if not better, live as they are recorded. Tame Impala definitely don't disappoint. Every note is flawless and nothing is held back, a true spectacle of live music. This was displayed brilliantly when one of their most well known songs was played - Elephant!

Limbs were everywhere and carnage was sparked by Parker's "are you all ready" rhetorical question, asking both seating and standing. From front to back it was impossible to find anyone standing still.

The atmosphere was returned to the previous mellow when Currents hits The Less I Know The Better and Eventually were executed. The instrumentation was exquisite throughout before 'finishing' on the mind-bending Apocalypse Dreams.

It really was a pleasure to see such a masterpiece in the flesh, everything throughout the duration of the song was very dream-esque; everything from the music and visuals to the fans singing their hearts out. The venue was swaying, a beautiful sight.

As most bands do nowadays Tame Impala came back on to play their 'greatest hit' Feels Like We Only Go Backwards. Parker introducing it as "a bit sing-a-long-y." It certainly was, the full capacity belting it out.

The night came to an end as Tame Impala played my all time favourite - Nothing That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control. Blending their usual chill self with a massively upbeat energy was fantastic.

Each member left the stage one by one to a rapturous applause. Incredible end to an amazing night.

Tame Impala play Manchester and London next year - you'd be crazy not to go!