On the back of the promising debut single Phonographic Love and cracking second release The Fellowship comes the album We Are Can they build on the momentum and quality displayed in their two singles to live up to their potential?
After the solid opening single comes Sit You Down, which has a very strained melody. The rhythm is fantastic and the vocal sits well in the foreground of the music. It is a curiously likeable song, contradictorily effortless yet troubled. The Fellowship is a top song and a great choice for single.
Cherokee is a departure in sound, a common theme in this most varied of albums, and it is a very well structured and infectious song, combining excellent New Order-esque guitars with euphoric synth choruses - a great idea immaculately played out. Bring You Down is a short acoustic slice of excellence, a great exercise in defeatism with top vocals.
Next on the album is Seventies Casualty - a top piece of song writing, combining some fine lyrics with excellent riffs and sublime drumming. It is a highpoint in the album, a song that plays like The Strokes crossed with The Kinks in spirit.
Juicy Lucy is straight down the line cut of indie rock, with the most simplistic of verse/ chorus set ups allowing them to just let loose. The song is catchy as hell and builds up a great head of steam, definitely sounding it out as a potential live favourite.
Second Chances again musically maybe owes a nod to The Strokes, but they work their own brand of style all over it, making it a pure joy to listen to. This is the song of the album, note perfect from start to finish.
Flashlight starts out very slowly and fails to get the attention but when it hits the minute mark they kick in with some keyboard work that grabs the attention and proves why this band have the ability to soar. It adds extra layers onto the song and from that moment on the song is impossible to get out of your head.
Final track Windows again takes a bit of time to get into its groove but its relaxed approach and assured rhythm keeps it above the waters, especially the understated bass. It is not the best of the bunch but has more than its share of moments to keep the interest from waning.
The album passes the test with merit. There are still some rough patches that need to be ironed out but for a debut album from a band only in their second year of activity it is as good as it could get. Most of the songs are catchy, likeable and played through with heart and intelligence, and in one or two cases, especially with Second Chances, they are exceptional. The future looks bright for these boys.