Editors Album: “An End Has a Start”

Joy Division released "Closer", The Comsat Angels released "Sleep No More", Echo released "Heaven Up Here", PIL released "Metal Box", The Chameleons released "What does everything mean, basically" - All sophmore albums that were met with reservations when first released that are now widely viewed as classics, and, arguably as the best albums the band's ever released. While "An End Has A Start" doesn't have the 'every song could be a single' pop sensibilities of their debut, the Editors have managed to maintain their edge while exploring some new territory in writing as well as studio recording. Some of the guitar melodies, especially on the title track as well as "The Racing Rats" are as infectious as the plague was in the middle ages - again bringing to mind The Chameleons with a touch of The Mission's earlier recordings - keyboards and orchestral embellishments add an element of texture that may find many listeners revisiting the songs that didn't capture attention on the first listen just to have them become the albums 'sleepers' - (how many fell under the spell of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" the second the needle hit the groove and eventually found "She's Lost Control" to be the disc living on the record player?).... Of all the bands that have popped up in the past few years, The Editors are one of the few that listeners may become truely passionate about more so as time passes.... For those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed them from the beginning..... Let's just see what happens.....

I just did a search for The Editors here and I think it is kind of funny that Interpol's new CD turned up four positions down on the page result because the only reason an old guy like me has even heard of this band was due to my conducting a search a few weeks ago regarding the release date for Our Love to Admire. I came across an article in which the reporter claimed that The Editors were a rip-off of Interpol. Whether that is true or not I cannot say although the influence of the great band on The Editors is undeniable in the tracks of An End Has a Start. That they may possibly be derivative is irrelevant to me, however, as I love these songs and love this album. I am not surprised that another reviewer had a line from "The Weight of the World" as his title because the tune is both haunting and excellent. Really, the first time through I thought this was an uneven CD and one that I would give three stars to but I was totally wrong. I now appreciate every song and think they range from excellent to above average.

Even more so than The Back Room, An End Has a Start is commendable for its oftentimes mild and enchanting melodies. With a vocalist reminiscent of the Interpol singer and a sound not far off from a mix of Coldplay and The Bravery, Editors deliver a very refined musical style on this album which sounds almost majestic in the first and last tracks, and upbeat with songs such as the title track and Escape the Nest. An End Has a Start does contain a few subtle differences from the band's debut album, mainly being a focus on enjoyable harmonies rather than on new wave-style drum beats backing the tracks. The music of the Editors has evolved just enough on this album to push it to what I consider the band's finest work so far, something very appreciable in comparison to many of the wrong directions that other recent bands have been going in. Overall I'd rate this album somewhere in between 4 ½ and 5 stars, and would consider it the furthest thing from a disappointment. Highly recommended.

Favorite tracks: Weight of the World, Bones, Push Your Head Towards the Air, Escape the Nest

I bought this CD after viewing their video for An End Has A Start. Loved the song and hoped that at least some of the other songs would be as powerful. I was pleasantly surprised to find ALL the songs on this CD are great. There is a mixture of slow and fast songs which may put some people off. However, the slower songs have lyrics so great that it makes up for their lack of speed. I've had this CD in my car player since my purchase and play it nearly every day. That is rare for me. Highly recommend.

This CD is honestly one of the best ones I have purchased in quite some time. Almost every single song is amazing, the lyrics are moving, the music is really melodic and overall, I am pleasantly surprised by how well this CD is arranged.

I am really happy I bought this CD and can definitely recommend it to anyone else who likes dreamy, melodic alternative/rock music from the heart.