aaamusic | On 08, Jul 2010

What first hit me when I was listening to The Fanclub’s Madman was how enjoyable a track it is. It manages to be catchy without sacrificing its emotional element, a feat that may sound simple, but that a lot of bands somehow can’t seem to master. Madman has everything you could want from a track of its kind – a melodic beat, excellent instrumental sequences, guitar solos – all without ever seeming formulaic. The vocals in particular stood out to me as reminiscent of half Tom Smith of Editors, half Guy Bannister of I Like Trains – gloomy yet smooth and harmonic.

Following Madman is Bitter Boys and Graceless Girls, another great track, similarly focused in the same emotional, tortured sound of its predecessor – with emphasis on the tortured; this track is much more melancholy than Madman, and a lot slower, too. Vocals switch from drawn-out cries to quiet and shaking whispers, culminating in a moving, epic finale. The Fanclub is an impressive act and strongly recommended – what remains to be seen is if their future, lengthier efforts can live up to the high calibre they have set themselves with these two tracks.

Author: Katharine Sparks