The Futureheads Album: “News and Tributes”

My goodness, what a follow up. Very brave. Burnt is beautiful, probably my favorite.Favours for Favours is another favorite. Yes/No is a great indication of "we're back"-ness with it's build-up to anthemic arcadefire-esque chanting. At first i was dissapointed with the choice single Skip to the End but with a few listens it really became great. not really the effect you want from a single though i suppose. Ross' singing gets to shine on this album. Back to the Sea is 'one damn song that could make me break down and cry.' it did actually make me cry when they played it live. i don't know why. it's just so beautiful i guess. i don't understand why they arn't as big, or bigger, than franz and block party or even arctic monkeys for that matter. i love these guys. Brilliant.

I waited until I listened to the Futureheads new album a full five times before I let myself review it. Of course, by the third time, I was singing along and pumping my fist with absolute glee. Hard to believe that, as with their first release, I found myself thinking that I would never be able to sing along to such disjointed, herky-jerky music. But now, oh man, now, I stand corrected. This album is deeper, smarter and more complete than the first, which I still adore. But this one is so jumpy and excitingly spastic, while being more mature and even-keeled, that it just blows me away. It's brilliant, there is no other word. The songs keep you on your toes with wonderful twists and turns, terrific beats and their signature guitars and amazing vocals. They flow perfectly into one another, rocking and rolling and making me smile like no other band on the planet. This is the kind of music that truly satisfies.

The Futureheads hail from the north of England, and owe an obvious debt to 'Drums And Wires'-era XTC. But the Futureheads dial down the archness, and rough-up the sonics with a bit of sandpaper. 'News And Tributes' is their second release, and follows an excellent 2004 debut.

'Tributes' opens with the off-kilter "Yes/No". It careens like a speeding car with a shredded tire or two, its rims showering sparks all over the road. Like that car, "Yes/No" would rather tear itself apart than not reach its destination. Or put another way, this question is going to be answered, or else. Brilliant.

While the rest of 'News And Tributes' can't quite sustain that single-minded fury, it comes pretty close. The rough-edged hooks of "Cope", "Fallout" and "Skip To the End" illustrate 'Tributes' charms best.

"Cope" delivers its message in pounding 4/4 time, and interrupts its headlong charge only long enough to deliver its one-word chorus in a slo-mo time change. "Fallout" opens with a sheet of shimmering chords, which soon fall into rigid lockstep. By song's end, the vocals have followed suit, while the chorus gleefully breaks rank and flows against the beat. The jaunty "Skip To the End" is almost ska-like, and the clipped, percussion-driven beat dissolves in a burst of fuzzy, distorted guitars just before the "na na na na na na" chorus hits.

The effect is bracing. And if 'News And Tributes' doesn't have you by now, it likely never will.

Giving fifteen upbeat tracks (only "Thursday" could be called a ballad) a unique personality is no small feat, and that is the Futureheads'--and 'News And Tributes'--special genius. A shout-out should go to producer Brian Hillier, who gives the spare and uncluttered arrangements density and mass. The Futureheads waste notes like north-Englanders waste arable land--which is to say not at all. And were 'Tributes' not so-produced, it could sound as cold and windswept as its birthplace.

While it remains to be seen whether the Futureheads will ever completely absorb their influences, or will continue to wear them plainly (albeit wonderfully) upon their sleeve, I'm more than willing to suspend judgement in favor of 'Tributes' jagged delights.

Catchy covers issued as debut singles are a great way of initially snagging some publicity, but Alien Ant Farm will be first in line to tell you that you've got to have something more than an `80s hit in your bag if you want ongoing success. Last year Sunderland quartet The Futureheads made waves thanks to their cover of Kate Bush's 1985 hit The Hounds Of Love, but compared to the rest of the Brit Class Of 2005, The Futureheads failed to make the lasting impact of Kaiser Chiefs, Hard-Fi or Bloc Party.

Thankfully, rather than come back a year later with a carbon copy of chirpy North England tracks with a sound more angular than the Golden Gate Bridge, The Futureheads have loosened their ties, rolled up their sleeves and starting punching above the featherweight league of fey and palid D-listers.

Sounding far tougher and with less of the moptop backing vocals of their debut, News & Tributes kicks off with the destructive barrage of Yes/No, which is a far meatier proposition than earlier Futureheads offerings. While following tracks sometimes act as throwbacks to their eponymous album (Fallout might as well be titled Decent Days And Nights Part II), even singer Barry Hyde admits on the Ziggy Stardust-style sounds of Burnt that `then he changed his voice, to a more serious tone'. The jagged guitar of Skip To The End, the speedy rock stomp of The Return Of The Berserker and the agitated handclaps of Back To The Sea indicate that the Sunderland boys are enjoying this turn towards rougher territory. The title track also expresses more depth than earlier songs about garages and robots, mourning the loss of numerous Manchester United football players in an aircraft accident almost 50 years ago.

The Futureheads have returned bigger and stronger. Alien Ant Farm must be seething.

The Futureheads are back with their sophomore album, "News And Tributes". Much like their 2004 self-titled debut, they explore an alternative post-punk landscape with elements of new romanticism thrown in here and there. On this album they remind me, in part, of early-era Elvis Costello, Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash and even a little The Knack thrown in for good measure.

I have several favorite tracks such as the first single, "Skip To The End", "Yes/No", "Favours For Favours", "Thursday" and "Help Us Out". All could be hit singles on alternative radio if given the chance. Unfortunately, The Futureheads aren't well known in America yet, but I'm sure us fans don't mind.

There are secondary tracks like "Cope", "Burnt", "News And Tributes", "Back To The Sea", second single "Worry About It Later" and "We Cannot Lose". These tracks solidify their sophomore release, lifting to above average status.

Then there are the tertiary tracks such as "Fallout", "The Return Of The Berserker", "Face", "Area" and the amusing Shy Child Remix of "Decent Days And Nights" from their debut album.

Overall, this should satisfy those like myself who are into the neo-new wave/punk/romantic movement that also includes The Postal Service, The Killers, The Music, Interpol, Keane, Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand, Dogs Die In Hot Cars, Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Rock Kills Kid and others.