Help She Can’t Swim - 'The Death Of Nightlife' (Fantastic Plastic) Released 07/05/07

As the opening track of Help She Can’t Swim’s new album, 'The Death of Nightlife', begins you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re about to experience some fairly run-of-the-mill UK indie. However, by the time you get to the second track, ‘Idle Chatter’, you’ll have a much better idea of what these guys are about.

The use of electronica-inspired samples lend an original touch to some otherwise standard (for want of a better term) thrash-indie. Songs like ‘Box of Delights’ are good examples of this band’s use of electro sampling. There’s a little to say here about the vocal work, with lead singer Tom Denney showcasing a screamy yet melodic range to good effect; however the occasional female accompaniment from Leesey Frances doesn’t always work too well. It’s not that she’s a bad singer, it’s just that the style of the vocal doesn’t really suit her and occasionally sounds forced (see: “you’re on the hot shit list […] fuck you / you’re not a feminist” in ‘I Think The Record’s Stopped’).

Songs like single-choice ‘Hospital Drama’ are the highlight of this album, with some excellent use of keys and driving riffs, along with a driving vocal performance. Influence-wise, a lot of the time Help She Can’t Swim remind of the also-frenetic Blood Brothers or Enter Shikari whilst when the female vocal takes charge they can touch on a sound reminiscent of bands like Garbage. There’s a clear talent here; the band is tight and clearly work well together having crafted a 12-track aural assault which is as insistent as it is eclectic. The production work from Justin Callaway is spot-on, with each song sounding as crisp and clear as the last.

It’s instrumentally experimental, it’s fresh and original and it’ll probably explode. So, apart from a couple of minor niggles, Help She Can’t Swim have created a solid follow up to their 2004 debut which should serve them well for the year to come.