ALBUM REVIEWS

Chris Devotion & The Expectations
AMALGAMATION AND CAPITAL
ARMELLODIE RECORDS 30.1.12
@www.vanguard-online.co.uk


First of all – with a nod to many classic fifties rock ’n’ roll bands, what a great band name; and if I ever change my surname I’m going to change it to ’Devotion’. Although I have to say I remain slightly baffled by the album title.

This is the Glasgow four-piece’s debut album and their image of sharp suits and trainers gives a hint of what they’re all about – smart, cutting lyrics but with a casual ear for a soaring melody. The drums crash and bass throbs with great purpose and the guitars are VERY loud and direct - ’Tell The Girl’ nods a battered Rickenbacker to the classic punk-pop of The Undertones or The Buzzcocks.

The withered red rose on the cover indicates an underlying sensitivity despite the crunching chords and furious pace. Sixteen songs about girls and relationships and stuff rattle furiously by in a little under 40 minutes with only a couple of songs stretching beyond a regulation two minutes.

’Blister’ is highlighted by their PR as a key track, and on hearing it you instantly know why – it’s a cracking hook-laden pop song in a similar style to The Futureheads or Maximo Park. They come on like The Clash on ’Surveying The Young Professionals’ before twanging ferociously through the socio-political rant of ’I Ain’t Got No Home’ like a re-incarnated for the 21st century version of The Godfathers, with vocals either drawled or gleefully shrieked.

After romping through a bunch of other highly energetic bursts of frantic garage rock closer ’Better Than This’ is a contrasting finish as it’s a great brooding, slow burner – running at positively a snail’s pace compared to the vim and vigour of the preceding tracks.

A stirring rock ’n’ roll album which leaves you bruised, battered and breathless – a fine antidote to some of the chin-stroking tedium around these days and a great example to some rock bands as to exactly how it should be done.

Steve Claire

www.chrisdevotion.co.uk