11

rock solid debut

Thinking For Tuesday (I’m certain there is a strange and surreal explanation for the bands name). They look an unlikely bunch of people to be in a rock band. You look too polite guys (and Karen), but thankfully I am pleased to say this all ends when you hear their brand of infectious melodic pop-rock

Thinking For Tuesday are a melodic rock band formed in November 2006 thanks to the wonders of the internet and a friendship formed around music and a love of guitars. Each member joined following a history of playing in different bands with the exception of Karen, who made the break from musical theatre to write rock music and has never looked back. The band is comprised of Karen Conway: Lead Vocals, Tom Langston: Guitar & Backing Vocals, Will Jenkins: Guitar & Backing Vocals, Barny Booth: Bass, and Chris Andrews: Drums

Their combination of catchy vocal lines, impressive instrumentals and a vibrant live set, has earned them a number of credible support slots in the past and a building reputation throughout the UK and overseas. The band boasts a repertoire of radio-friendly songs with an innovative edge thanks to their range of influences, from The Goo Goo Dolls and Third Eye Blind, to Pink and No Doubt and a lot of bands inbetween.

Their music is jaw droppinly catchy, hook laden and quite heavy when they want to. Its not overplayed by any of the band, who seem to know exactly what they want and have achieved it without compromise. Overlay this with Karens vocals and the outcome is one annoyingly infectious set of tunes. The album is interlaid with ‘call center’ snippets for some annoying reason. Hence the album title I suspect, as we’ve all been caught in that trap at one time or another. Maybe if you press ‘0’ twice on your CD remote then you may be able to bypass this, just like you can with annoying call centres (top tip).

The first time I played this in the car, I wasn’t blown away, but on repeated listens, the damn thing just gets better and better. The interplay between the guitars and the solid rhythm section is cool. I don’t think that TFT have captured the live sound of the band, but most bands rarely do, as I can see TFT’s live set being a thing of beauty. Highlights are the very catchy ‘ Ordinary Song’, and, believe me, there’s nowt ordinary about it. ‘Falling’ has a nice change of pace to it, with a heavy riff to keep the rockier side of me very, very happy. ‘Did It Up’ has a belting riff that many others would kill Grannies for. I would have liked a bit more ‘rasp’ to Karen’s vocals on this, similar to that of Pat Benatar, but Im only being picky. I even feel that TFT have a bit of a grunge influence going on here

As with most bands the mix of songs is to introduce slower, ballady types, and ‘No More’, ‘Isolation’and ’Answer For a Song’ are such examples. The both changes the flow of the album a bit, as the following tracks ’Girl In The Red Dress Too’ and ‘Devil May Care’ are both heavier paced numbers and are just what the doctor ordered. ‘DMC’ being a fitting way to end the album, and is one, if not the best tracks on ‘HFAR’

Personally I would have preferred a 9 or 10 track stronger album than a 12 track with a couple of weaker songs like we have here with Holding For A Reason, but that’s just my opinion. Apart from this small gripe, TFT have an album to be proud of. It’s a belting debut from a very promising band.