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RAZORLIGHT Razorlight (Vertigo/Universal) |
 DOES the absence of a title for Razorlight's sophomore set hint at a fresh beginning that's free of hype? Per- haps. Or maybe it's just Johnny Borrell's way of illustrating once again (as if any more evidence was necessary) just how annoying he can be. Razorlight's debut, Up All Night, proves that the guy is indeed both talented and self-absorbed. A few songs (Stumble and Fall and Rip It Up, for example) even pack a decent wallop. Unfortunately, Borrell's petulance threatens to provoke most neutrals into smacking him one in the mouth! Fans of the band, on the other hand, appear immune to the hot air that has become part of the Razorlight experience. Perhaps these people listen to the band because they've been commanded to by the likes of NME, Uncut and Q. I'm not sure what the real deal is, but if you like Razorlight then there's no need to tell you that the new record is a huge improvement from the last. Though the lyrics are as juvenile as ever, the tunes are snappier (In the Morning), poppier (America, Who Needs Love?) and friendlier (Back to the Start, Hold On). I'm guessing that producer Chris Thomas (Procol Harum, Roxy Music, Pretenders, INXS, Pulp) had a big part to play. Whatever the case ... if you're a fan, don't pass this by! And if you don't care for Razorlight? Well, let's just say that the songs aren't likely to offend. You may even find yourself enjoying quite a few of them. But do steer clear of all Razorlight articles. Johnny Borrell may have improved as a songwriter but it seems he still can't help being annoying. |
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