Howling Bells – Radio Wars

You’d be forgiven for forgetting just who the hell Howling Bells are – it’s been nearly three years since their self titled debut was released. But after a lengthy while beavering away in their motherland, Australia, they’re back with new album Radio Wars, released by their new home of Independiente.

With producer Dan Grech-Marguerat (Fields, The Envy Corps, Johnny Flynn) on board, Radio Wars has all the promise of living up to the success of their debut, and replanting Howling Bells firmly back on the map.

Whilst the production on this album is amazing -’Nightingale’ sounds polished to a sheen with it’s spaced out guitar, grand strings, harpsichord, and subtleties that take a few listens to be realised-  the songs don’t live up to all the expert post-production knob-twiddling.

There’s something lethargic about Radio Wars -  it sounds like it needs a jump start, or a fresh set of batteries. ‘Let’s Be Kids’ is the worst offender – it’s almost painful to listen to those dragging vocals, and whilst perhaps it does suit the theme of the song – being young again instead of old and tired – it’s taking it too the extreme, and the horrifically Westlife sounding key change does nothing to help.

‘Whingey’ is, granted, not the best word to use to describe music, but it fits the bill here more than anything else. The mid-tempo songs simply sound tired, uninteresting, and like they’re complaining about something in that annoying sing-song voice that kids do.

The album picks up a bit towards the end – ‘Golden Web’ does show a little more sultry edge and mystery, and ‘Digital Hearts’ finally sees the band wake up a bit, but it’s not enough to save the rest of the album.

All in all a disappointing return, and whatever they’ve be doing for three years has clearly thrown them off their game.
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