St Jude Album Review
From The Smiths to Oasis via The Stone Roses, few cities have left such a legacy to Britain’s musical history than Manchester. The newest additions to sink or swim from the tag of ‘Manchester’s next great band’ are The Courteeners.
Thankfully with that musical heritage comes a production line of talented, cocksure frontmen and all the better for it. When so many bands fall short without a focal point and amidst a music scene clogged with bands and singers who sing about nothing it all, refreshingly Liam Fray of The Courteeners actually has something to say. Pouring scorn at pill-popping revellers during Cavorting, boys tours abroad in 'Bide Your Time'; clearly Fray finds too many aspects of lad culture abhorrent and is not afraid to say so. Overconfidence is expected but he may overstep the line a touch when he compares himself to a Morrissey ‘with some strings’ on 'What Took So Long'.
As well as being frontman Fray is also sole songwriter and for all the bravado; notably a few songs reveal Fray’s somewhat sensitive side. Whilst the album sounds macho enough he seems adept at depicting tales of dealing, and even failing, with the opposite sex. To intricate and subtle melodies, 'Please Don’t' delicately sees the struggle in trying to remain friends with a past love whilst 'How Come' has him wondering how someone else can be so successful with the ladies. As if lyrical sensitivity was not enough, Fray even produced the cover painting.
Whilst few would question Fray’s talent, 'St Jude' portrays a band unsure of itself. Undoubtedly they have a strong and varied repertoire but whether or not they can transcend a crowded genre is another issue. Rather than showcasing what should be their own sound, it is more a case of their all too obvious influences fighting amongst themselves. The ramshackle indie sensibilities of The Libertines show themselves in 'Cavorting' whilst the arrogance of the Gallagher brothers shines throughout in Fray’s bullish lyrics and sneering vocals, particularly in 'If It Wasn‘t For Me'. The songs can stand up for themselves but the doubt is whether they can stand out.
Clearly proud of their heritage, The Courteeners are not so much influenced by Manchester as carved out of it with the album littered with quintessentially Mancunian references. From a Fallowfield Hillbilly via a double decker Stagecoach to Piccadilly, Withington and Middleton.
Local heroes they may be now but whether or not The Courteeners can etch a clear enough mark on the current music scene and even add to Manchester’s legacy remains to be seen. Whilst 'St Jude' represents a promising debut it is hardly revolutionary and altogether sounds too familiar. Alas, this record is not the one.