EVER since Christian Dior hijacked The Rakes for a catwalk caper, they've struggled to cut the mustard on the believability front - good looks, no substance. Never mind, all could have been saved by a blistering second album, but the tartrazine-laced effervescence of their debut's Clash copies has been replaced by a dour world-weariness that sounds like a shrug when we wanted a shout.
The World Was a Mess But His Hair Was Perfect (the Dior track) may have a great title, but the song lacks conviction, focus and balls. The lack of oomph permeates the whole record - singer Alan Donohoe sounds bored and distracted on When Tom Cruise Cries and Little Superstitions sounds like a Strokes cast-off. Only on Time to Stop Talking does the band start to really engage.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article