Everything Everything have become a well renowned indie band who have delivered some really impressive, out there tunes that have become just shy of anthems in some cases. I always feel like this band from Manchester, who are hugely impressive live, should always have people checking in and seeing what they are doing next! After the success of ‘Distant Pass’ there seemed to be a formula that the band could nail when executed well. What could be an issue for the group, is that they could rely on this and become a bit satirised of what worked so well? Within their new record, ‘RE-ANIMATOR’, it see’s the band trying to break from that mould but not reaching their potential throughout.
‘Lost Powers’ does begin with a slow sense of hope, it feels like the start of the day with the sun peeping through the window and it is a lovely way to start the record, especially with an Elbow like ending with a big coming together. ‘Big Climb’ touches each base of the groups elements I find…the vocals, sparse instrumentation and dramatic pre chorus. It is a calling of arms for the younger generation when dealing with climate change, touching on how they are in a mess they did not create and they have to fight to save the mess. Musically you can hear a big Peter Gabriel influence within the track and you can hear it again throughout ‘RE-ANIMATOR’.
The monster depiction of oneself feeling like an outsider, is interesting on ‘Its Monstering’ but sadly it is very dreary and bland. It has a slight muse like melody at times, with the bass line probably being the most solid thing about the song. ‘Planets’ was a song I heard prior to the album being released; the vocal delivery does capture my imagination and frontman Johnathon Higgs explained this song is about crying for acceptance, which he captures well with his delivery. There is a sense of inspiration and curiosity with ‘Moonlight, with its main structure being written when one of the band members was up all night waiting for the birth of his first child. You can hear the purity for sure and it makes me smile with the vocals sounding almost reflective in a way, there is a huge night time vibe here and it is rather beautiful.
‘Arch Enemy’ has a very cool groove and synth part that blends nicely with some cool guitar playing, however its lyrics isabout fat waste in your plumbing…Im not going to try and find out why. Despite being self aware of not wanting to comment on the sins of the world like before on their new LP, ‘The Lord of The Trapdoor’ does so but in a more of a wellbeing and spiritual way. Here we find Jonathon singing about internet trolls, how easy it is for the human condition to take the bait to become a virtual beast.
You can not deny that people love Everything Everything is because how out they can be so out there despite be seeing so accessible, it seems there is not a traditional core within their songwriting. However ’The Actor’ seems to be a song that has that element of traditional songwriting that really sounds like The Killers. Does it become a good song though…sadly not and goes down a path that I was not expecting and did not enjoy. ‘RE-ANIMATOR’ finishes with ‘Violet Beach’ which has a 80’s opening that makes my stomach feel a bit funny but the urgency and Aha influence is a definite sense of relief that is sooo needed. Have to admit chorus follows the tempo very well and is catchy, there is so much fun on this song but I’m left wanting this more on the album.
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