Econoline – 'This Band Isn’t Funny Anymore' (Stupid Cat) Released 05/06/06

With a fan base that included the late John Peel and now many DJ’s from Radio 1, Econoline seem to know what they are doing and by the sounds of it they don’t give a **** if you don’t like it. For those of you that haven’t heard…we’ll humour you. The London based eclectic rockers release ‘This Band Isn’t Funny Anymore’ as their followup to the acclaimed ‘Music Is Stupid’.

Econoline could be contenders to pick up where Million Dead left off, not to say they are exactly the same, but their screamo style of vocals next to Sonic Youth style guitars and riffs are an homage to bands that have scorched their mark in the industry. These lads should be set to mark their own territory as their upbeat epics can go from panic stricken to chilled out at the drop of a hat yet carefully keeping one hand on the emo/prog button at all times.

Kicking off the onslaught is the Sparta influenced ‘Chicks Dig Scars’ that hammers down the band’s direction as screaming harmonies and tinny guitars punch through moments of tenderness only to build up to a fantastic chorus that could quite easily start a riot. It is with this song that Econoline will grab you and not let go, beating you to a pulp with ‘I Want Work’, only to soothe with tracks such as the string laden acoustic prog rock beast that is ‘Lend Me A Friend’, and the poppy instrumental ‘Sorbet’ that could make a grown man cry. They continually show they are band of many hats, and how damn cool the hats are! With other highlights in the form of mini epic ‘Sex Tips For Losers’ and the ****ing beautifully violent hardcore assault that is ‘No’ pushing the band into some seriously hard emo territory - one cannot help but think that they were an emo rock band, but they are so much more, as the guitar harmonies reminiscent of bands like Gyroscope and Weezer are beautiful in their ability to forever change the perspective of the listener. Then after possible best track of the year ‘A Charm Offensive’ dies down and everything seems to be settling into a groove, tracks like ‘Go Team!’ mix it up all over again with spoken word vocals duelling with a playground chorus, whilst an acoustic fights off a barrage of drums and a wall of electric fuzz.

‘This Band Isn’t Funny Anymore’ is a smart album that focuses on quality of songs and lastability rather than a one hit wonder factor and although there are constant influences running throughout, it is important to just let go and take them for what they are, talented lads ready to put a hole in your heart and then fill it with a noise that will have you moving to a different beat as their screaming urgencies and quite riots are a shock to the system.