Elaine Buckley posted on April 13, 2010 19:00
A review of the album 'WHB' by We Have Band
Review Snapshot: Three ex record label employees band together to produce an album with the dancefloor firmly in mind… The debut offering from two-boy, one-girl London-based trio We Have Band draws on an impressive array of influences, the result being an 80s-infused brand of modern day mix n’ match pop. Slick production and catchy melodies mean that WHB is an album which will command attention. With killer singles and a strong supporting cast of tracks, We Have Band are definitely ones to watch as we approach the summer festival season.
The Cluas Verdict? 7 out of 10
Full Review: Winners of the Emerging Talent Competition at 2009’s Glastonbury Festival, disco-rockers We Have Band have gradually garnered a lot of attention in the run-up to their debut release. The back story alone is enough to intrigue – three ex-employees of EMI, with little experience between them, decide to get together to make an album free of record label influence. Two years (and a lot of buzz) later, the debut offering from We Have Band has landed.
WHB kicks off with mundane opening track ‘Piano’, serving as a prelude to an equally bland ‘Buffet’ – both tracks in stark contrast with the energetic nature of what follows. Thankfully, recent single ‘Divisive’ is on hand to pick up the pace and get the WHB party started. It is ‘Divisive’ along with other previously released singles ‘Honeytrap’ and ‘You Came Out’ that are the obvious highlights - however, the infectious beats of tracks such as ‘Love, What You Doing?’ and ‘How To Make Friends’ really compliment the singles as part of the bigger picture of the album in its entirety. 2008 release ‘Oh!’ stands the test of time, just as enjoyable as it was first time around. And in spite of the slow start, it’s clear this is an album which has dancefloors firmly set in its sights.
What is most interesting about We Have Band is that they make no secret of the inspiration behind the music they make – the spirit of
Depeche Mode,
Talking Heads,
New Order and even The Human League permeate the album from beginning to end. Easy comparisons can be made to modern-day counterparts such as Hot Chip, The Rapture, and New Young Pony Club. Yet in spite of the obvious influences and likenesses, the trio have still managed to carve out their own striking originality.
Overall, WHB is flawed - but by no means disappointing. A promising debut from a band who will undoubtedly delight revellers when they take this album on tour across the European festival circuit this summer.
Elaine Buckley
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