THE GLITTERATI - review added 7th April 2010
Album Review: Are You One Of Us? (2010)
For fans of: Alt Rock... and justifying the hype
The Glitterati first appeared on the scene in 2004 with a debut single 'Do You Love Yourself?' They were soon gathering rave reviews from the music press, touring the UK with acts like Kings Of Leon, The Killers, Jet, Evanescence, David Lee Roth and more, and were even nominated in the best British newcomer category at the Kerrang awards.
Their first album was recorded in L.A. with legendary producer Mike Clink (Guns N' Roses, Metallica) and did pretty damn well for itself. That was five years ago.
After a line-up change - now Paul Gautrey on vocals, John Emsley on lead guitar, Billy James on drums, Baz Morrison on bass, and Gaff on rhythm guitar - the move to a new record label - Global/DR2 - and a new producer - Matt Hyde (Slipknot, Bullet For My Valentine, Gallows) - The Glitterati are finally back.with new album Are You One Of Us?.
There was a lot of hype circling this band when they first appeared. The second album is normally a good way to tell if it was justified or not. On the evidence of Are You One Of Us?, this is a band you'd be a fool to ignore. The album has its ups and downs, but the best songs really are brilliant. The sound is sleaze-infused rock 'n' roll that's as up tempo as a drum kit falling down a mountainside. The performances and production are all first class, but it's the quality of the songs that really hits home.
The highlight has got to be the utterly superb 'Too Many Girls'. If this track doesn't decimate the charts worldwide there is no justice! The remaining songs are nothing less than a riot, although the Wildhearts-inspired 'Right From The Start', the pumping 'You Can Be So Cruel', the laid-back-funky-fusion 'Shanty', and subtle-Mansun-genius of 'Lola It's Over' are a gnats-pube-width ahead. With the numerous lyrical references to the band's experiences in the music industry, actually listening to the messages within the songs is a surprisingly fulfilling experience.
Good album this. It's modern, relevant, and irritatingly cool. The Glitterati have already risen and fallen once and, although this album isn't perfect, they are definitely on the way upwards again. They may well be there to stay this time.
Check out... 'Too Many Girls'.
Track List:
01. Right From The Start
02. Fucks Me Up
03. Can't Say No
04. Fight Fight Fight
05. Too Many Girls
06. Your Idea
07. Overnight Superstar
08. You Can Be So Cruel
09. Shanty
10. Keeping Me Down
11. Cashcow
12. Lola It's Over
Label: Global Music / DR2
Artist's website(s): MySpace
