Call Upon The Author

I went to see Editors a couple of months back. I’d never quite understood their appeal (the sublime Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors aside), but the missus is a big fan so I thought I’d indulge her. I can report back that they were good though quite samey and that Wintersleep blew them out of the water (you can see why I write music reviews can’t you, didn’t that just paint you a picture of the whole evening?). They seemed to be possessed of only one tempo and the set seemed to drag itself along. They had a good light curtain at the back of the stage though, so kudos for that lads!
It was then, with a hint of trepidation that I set about reviewing this album. As the disc went for it’s first spin my heart fell, this was clearly a band so in awe of Manchester’s electro-miserablists that it fairly oozed out of every chord and vocal nuance. Undeterred though I had a listen again the next morning on the way to work. Little moments began to emerge from the gloom, the angry stomp of lead single Papillon was suddenly interesting and the tracks seemed a little more inviting.
I’m on, I think (Last.fm seems to have stopped working) my tenth or eleventh run through the album now and it’s subtleties have been laid bare. This is far and away the bands best release to date and while it doesn’t stray far from what we’re used to it does at least seem to be looking outward rather than in.
I hesitate to type the word but there seems to be a touch of hope about some of the songs here, there’s even a choir on the closing Walk The Fleet Road a song that, while it isn’t exactly an upbeat summer anthem has a nostalgic glow about it’s melancholy.
Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool might have a title that would be a better fit for those straight edge militant vegan punks that always seem to pop up at Battle Of The Bands contests never to be seen again, but it has a blend of Kraut rock and Radiohead that is charmingly appealing.
The one thing this album most noticeably lacks, Papillon aside, is marketable singles and I honestly think this might alienate the casual fan who kind of liked them on the radio (if this is you, never mind just go check out White Lies instead). Conversely I think their darker moments and willingness to keep taking (admittedly small) steps toward true uniqueness might rope in some more hardcore fans. Sort out that live show though guys, before I come see you again!