It’s UK Chart Day! So let Scotland rawk through the winning formula…
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[4.78]
Anthony Easton: The latest band from the UK whose obsession with American guitar rock should result in an order of protection. Or would if they were dangerous at all.
[3]
Scott Mildenhall: How to get rock music in the top 20 in 2014? Massive boyband chorus. Plus the Proclaimer principle: that there are few accents more satisfying to sing along in than a generic Scottish one. There have not been and will not be many more joyous hits this year.
[8]
Daniel Montesinos-Donaghy: You ever wanted to hear “Pour Some Sugar On Me” re-imagined as an EQ-crusher for Glasgow indie kids? Well, never mind, because HERE YOU GO. “Heart and Soul” is pretty relentless in how badly it wants to work, and that sheer effort ends up giving the track some pretty undeniable hooks. Those hooks are also icky as all hell, with the strained come-ons creasing the sides of the speakers and clipping the levels. It’s all pitched at a level deserving of the audio war; shame it’s a wimped-out battalion leading the charge.
[4]
Alfred Soto: Somebody’s been listening to One Direction — check out that chorus! I’ve said for months that the boy band’s Def Leppard move would generate closeted mimicry. These Scottish boys seriously lack derring-do though, let alone access to a phalanx of writers and producers. Change the name. Hire a new manager.
[3]
Brad Shoup: No guitar tone and nothing to recommend the vocals besides the accent. The chorus is a nice little burst, like Robbie Nevil writing for Hanson. But lord, those wheedly, riffy descents. Someone particularly thirsty might label this bubblegrunge, but it’s more like Muse left out in the sun.
[5]
Thomas Inskeep: Wow, they’re really, really Scottish. If Muse were less fruity they’d probably sound something like this.
[4]
Iain Mew: The verses remind me of Biffy Clyro, and it’s not just the Scottish accent. The way that Twin Atlantic throw the vocal melody and knotted guitar parts at each other to bounce off in different directions is similar to songs like “Glitter and Trauma” and just as much fun. The “Pour Some Sugar on Me”-via-“Midnight Memories” chorus is too big and empty to carry on the fun, but also their ticket to the UK top 20.
[5]
Megan Harrington: I am 80% charmed by Sam McTrusty singing in his native accent and 20% never betrayed by the chords to “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” which are a bowl of creamy cheese dip whether Joe Elliott’s begging for your kisses or McTrusty is begging for your infinite being for all eternity.
[7]
Patrick St. Michel: Accents will only take your butt-rock so far, guys.
[4]