Coventry’s answer to The Clash or a wannabe Oasis from further south? Well, neither in fact, The Enemy aren’t in the same league and based on the evidence of latest album Music for the People they have a long way to go before reaching such heights.
The opening track, for all its sound-a-like comparisons, is a great show-starter: a ballsy, rock ‘n’ roll track to kick off a follow up album. Elephant Song can be criticised for its indulgent 1:40 introduction but more than makes up for it with a gutsy rock riff and catchy chorus line.Unfortunately from here on it’s all a bit downhill for Tom Clarke and co. Another heavy riff and a lot of shouting later and you’re half way into the album with No Time for Tears, Sing When You’re in Love and 51st State getting you there.
The album takes a turn for the worst in the second half as the tone mellows and the working-class, midland’s angst appears in the form of three agonisingly downbeat, depressing tracks; Last Goodbye, Keep Losing and Silver Spoon.
The second half’s redeeming feature is the piano-peppered Be Somebody which is more uplifting and light in it’s mood. The Enemy, as demonstrated with the debut effort, have a tendency to linger on and hammer the message home when we all get it. Working class life, hard graft, being from the midlands and all the rest of it. We get the picture. You don’t need to shout about it. Silver Spoon is simply a horribly in-your-face and irritatingly needless way to end the album. Tom Clarke’s “never had a silver spoon.” Boo-hoo.
Elephant Song and Be Somebody should be released as singles and the rest should be forgotten. A disappointing, though not hugely anticipated, follow up.
So theres a few soundalike tunes. London Calling, Common People, the one that's chorus sounds like a low budget Earth Song, the bonus track which sounds like Let It Be, the intro to track 1, which is alot like Morning Glory and alot of the riffs have been lifted off Standing On The Shoulder of Giants.
I still think it sounds great and it's a total grower, gets better with every listen in my opinion.
Haha so erm that's how many tracks now Special K?! I don't mind them ripping people off Oasis did it alot on their first album but it was done with humour and skill and a bit of individuality. But it's so blatant, and drearily done, I need to give this album a full listen and point out all the rips;)
