The Most Terrifying Thing – 'Victoriana' (Seeca) Released 31/10/05

 

These unlikely Liverpudlians surprisingly possess a contrasting sound to the current psychedelic wave of the city from the likes of The Zuton’s and The Coral.  With a passion for grunge rock, lead singer Chris Price sounds like Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz on Prozac, as debut album ‘Victoriana’ combines a strong Nirvana and Mudhoney edge with hints of Gang of Four and The Wedding Present lurking on the periphery.  The result is a fundamentally dark album, and not for the faint hearted. 

 

Opening track ‘Programmed’ expresses the aggressive and somewhat forlorn lyrics of Price as he screams “I don’t expect you to understand, but I was programmed to be alone” and the power of the chorus and sublime guitar riff make this the first and best track on the album.  ‘Pain & Problematics’ again immediately appeals for its intensive chorus bursts and Prices powerful vocals, however ‘Victoriana’ waivers as the pattern and structure for each song become increasingly repetitive.  Each verse and chorus become predictable and Prices vocals, although powerful and emotive, stay constricted to a narrow selection of harmonies. 

 

A promising debut that will appeal to the grunge heads among you, but with ‘Victoriana’ lacking in any real diversity and uniqueness, it is sadly nothing we haven’t heard before.