Air Traffic - 'Fractured Life' (EMI) Released 02/07/07

When Einstein invented the wireless (that’s right isn’t it?) thousands of years ago, one imagines his accomplishment was based upon the need to communicate; to forge tighter relations and to report important events quicker than the carrier pigeon. Its hard to envisage anywhere in his plan the desire to flood Britain with reams of samey, inoffensive guitar/keys pop. Unless he was right sadistic git that is… Bournemouth four piece Air Traffic, are clearly nice fellas. Being angry with them would be like spitting on one of the twins from Big Brother. You’d imagine they’d be a bloody good laugh at a picnic attended by the likes of The Feeling, Norah Jones and The Fray. They’d probably bring a Frisbee, gin and tonic and some lime (enough for everyone). Not like that wench Jones who’d sit eating her tube of sour cream and chive Pringles all to herself. Greedy cow.

As well as being decent company on a sunny afternoon, Chris Wall and his trio of mates have crafted a debut album of significant weight. Very listenable, if not severely original, the Traffic borrow stylistic elements from a handful of acts to tap into the very thirsty and affluent 25-25 middle class market. In a vaguely schizophrenic body of work, Wall inadvertently apes Robert Smith, flirts with the idea of being Jeff Buckley, plinks and plonks his way through Supergrass’ early catalogue and at some point sounds like Grant ‘Feeder’ Nicholas doing Keane at karaoke. All bases covered indeed. ‘Fractured Life’ is roughly split into three acts. The opening numbers ‘Just Abuse Me’ and ‘Charlotte’ are full of optimism, keys snatched from Scouting For Girls and Kooksy guitar riffs. ‘Shooting Star’ goes a bit more serious and worthy before the middle section starting with ‘No More Running Away’ blends into a forlorn-and-needy-at-3am sludge until we struggle out of the other side with the ‘I Like That’.

The songs that stick out on ‘Fractured Life’ are definitely the upbeat, less serious tunes; ‘Never Even Told Me Her Name’ (clearly a good choice for a single release back in October) and live favourite ‘Just Abuse Me’ probably the highlights. Basically, they aren’t as convincing peddling faux-angst as they are when talking about girls. The album ends with what is essentially the title track. Undeniably this is a song that builds majestically and is almost gospel at its crescendo. It’s clear Air Traffic are trying to tick the ‘uplifting’ and ‘life-affirming’ boxes with this tune, but are held back by the fact that they venture into Embrace territory a bit too far (and those McNamara boys will hunt you down like a dog if you step onto their patch). ‘Fractured Life’ is an album that would’ve done very well a few years ago pre-market saturation.

The lack of a unique selling point impinges on its worth today, but it does house a clutch of pure pop highlights that will cause their live following to rightly swell. Pleasing but far from mind blowing. Einstein would be twitching in his grave.