fORMER: The Kids Deserve Cable

The Kids Deserve Cable is the third album from Nashville based Power Pop outfit fORMER, who are lead by The Great Affairs Denny Smith on vocals and guitars. The rest of the band are made up of Patrick Miller (guitar), Henry Go (bass) and Billy Baker (drums), who between them pop out some killer hooks, slick licks and chantable choruses, with a wodge of bubblegum and some riotous riffs. On the other side of the coin though, there's little that stands tall and proud as truly, or in truth slightly different and if fORMER are going to have a problem grabbing air-time, or sticking in the mind, it is more to do with the fact that they sound like countless bands out there - from a variety of genres - than any suggestion that they aren't pretty damn good.

The riffs are sharp, the choruses are neat, yet catchy and there isn't a moment on The Kids Deserve Cable that isn't thoroughly enjoyable, however there is also barely a moment that doesn't make you think - "That sounds like Cheap Trick", or "There's a bit of 40 Foot Ringo", or even "Now that reminds me of Stereophonics, or Razorlight". None of which is necessarily a bad thing (although they aren't top of my tick list of hopes for an album - well apart from the Cheap Trick part....), but finding so many obvious influences spread across ten tracks, is certainly a little off-putting. Now in fairness that's all a little harsh, as TKDC provides a cool, sharp, quick fix that undoubtedly makes you grin, bob your head and sing along, it's just that once it is all over, I'm not really compelled to do it all again. There are a few gems on the album though, with opener "Head First" simply exploding with energy, while "Born A Ghost" cleverly tones things down in a way that might just go top 10 with the kids and parents alike. Add to that "Sister", which offers up a seductive piano motif that makes way for gritty chorus and "How Does It Feel", which really could be a summer anthem and there's no doubt that fORMER have the smarts and capability to hit the mainstream.

I wouldn't be too surprised to hear fORMER on the radio, or see their tunes pop up on TV, nor would I be shocked if they disappear without a trace, but I'd guess that the teen market will be the ultimate judge.

Track Listing
1. Head Light
2. Fix You
3. How Does It Feel
4. Lie To Me
5. Born A Ghost
6. Blue Divide
7. Sister
8. Say It Isn't So
9. Drown
10. Come On

Added: January 23rd 2012
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: fORMER MySpace
Hits: 1968
Language: english

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