Out on November 14th 2011 through Phoenixx Records.
Reviewed by Francesca Baker.
Being from Manchester always helps a band, as though through pure osmosis they pick up musical tastes and prowess. The Words have got the talent for a winsome melody (A Thousand Times), talent for a heavy drum beat (Falling) and singalong choruses. Yet, despite really liking their debut album Truth & Faith, I am left with a feeling that something is missing.
There are a medley of band influences, but despite the number of nods to musical heritage (Opener Fog has elements of Blur, stand out Everybody’s With You (out Monday) flirts with a Black Rebel Motorcycle Club style riff, and Demons has a hint of early Kings of Leon meets Wings going on) there is never the over riding conclusion that we have met the sound of The Words. It’s not that I don’t understand. No pretentious attempt has been made to obscure the meaning of their lyrics: on Demons the refrain ‘suicide’ makes it perfectly clear, or on a more cheery note the aptly titled Head Over Heels proclaims its love to the protagonist with ‘I like your eyes, I like your hair, yeah.’
Heart and soul has clearly been poured in bucket loads into this debut album (it took six years), but only 70% of the time does it translate to the start of a truly able and promising new band, rather than well trodden indie of which Frankie & The Heartstrings et al are already trying to molest.
Uplifting and upbeat with its schismatic blend of indie, ska, rock, and country, Truth & Faith is delivered with no hint of reticence, frenetic drumming and lyrics that sound as though they are being delivered with a smile throughout. Streamlining the album of the pleasantly palatable but largely pointless tracks such as Under The Sun and Time would result in a much more compelling and convincing debut.
The Words haven’t arrived but they’re certainly heading in the right direction.