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Archived Reviews
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Their PR guff says Ikon: 'ripen over the years like a high-grade wine'. I'm all for that. I like a good vintage. "As Time Goes By" has the growly, thudding of a motorbike, and has my late-twenties crisis reaching a pinnacle. To begin with though, I'm easily excited you see. It's got a good hook, and it's only the slightly off-key vocals that let it down. They remind me of The Cult, actually... but without the big-haired conviction and dedication to the lifestyle. Which leads me to believe - gasp - they may actually have full-time jobs, and this band is just an 'outlet', or at best, an extra income. It could be worse I suppose. They could be The Damned. But putting all non-review related gripes aside and getting on with the review...
The vocals are dead and lifeless – either they need to invest in some sort of electrickery (Catweasel!!!) or the singer severely needs to practice some and then... well maybe. But it appears he is concentrating on those groovy guitar hooks too to so maybe I'm being a little harsh. It wouldn't be the first time, would it, pop-pickers? Arrrgggh! The lyrics are delivered so deadpan and humourlessly, without a hint of self-deprecation or sarcasm that has me begging for the 'off' switch. And the way that "Alive" sounds exactly the same as "Why". It's like they don't really care what damage they inflict on eardrums as long as they get paid £50 and a few beers at the end of it. Which is fair enough... but it's not enough for me. "She Smiles" is apparently about your girlfriend trying to kill you. I wonder why? Could it be those irritating axe-guitarist Slash-wannabe noises and out-of-key bass noises she's hearing? Could be a clue.. "Alone" is a nice enough little ballad, takes the pace down a bit, it's very Joy Division-y, and has some awkward chord changes in there mind. And so very boring. 'I can't see you anymore.' No indeed. I've turned off the light switch and it's 'Good night from me.' And it's good night from them. |
