ALBUM REVIEW: Twin Atlantic 'Great Divide'

Rating:

The best way to describe this album is that it’s like Jaws 3. The first one was great, the second, alright, a bit naff, the third, well… you know what it’s like by the time you get to number three. Their older songs – ‘What is Light? Where is Laughter?’ and ‘Free’ – are far better. This new album just sounds poppy and commercial, and is a far throw from their usual “indie” sound.

I’ve always thought that Twin Atlantic sound like a toned down mix of Biffy Clyro/Foo Fighters, but unfortunately I can’t hear this as much on this new album. It’s still there, but it’s faint. The anticipation surrounding the release of this album has been highly publicised throughout the year; they triumphed a huge Glastonbury slot, supported Kings of Leon and 3o Seconds to Mars and are awaiting a sizeable Reading & Leeds slot next weekend, so the pressure is on.

‘Heart And Soul’ was the first single released from the album and Radio 1 voted it as the “Hottest Record in the World” – I would personally say that its more mild than hot. I have always loved the way that Sam McTrusty’s accent comes through when he sings – it stands out, and it’s memorable. The verses are great and they sound very Biffy Clyro so we’re off to a good start, and the guitar is great, really riffy, while the bass sounds very Arctic Monkeys inspired in parts. I love the way that they have a huge build up to the chorus, you expect something huge, but it’s very disappointing and relatively poppy in contrast to the verses, which is a major let-down because it had the potential to be a really awesome song.

‘Hold on’, ‘Fall Into The Party’ and ‘Brothers And Sisters’ are all relatively bland and sound like their usual sound, masked by poppy, 1975-like guitar riffs and some cheesy lyrics, especially in ‘Fall Into The Party’. The lead guitar in ‘Hold On’ is very interesting and sounds as if it’s being improvised, which is a breath of fresh air, and leads into a very stripped back bridge, with distorted vocals – a nice touch which sounds a lot like The Killers.

‘Oceans’ is one of the few stand outs. The vocals are raw with real passion behind them on a stripped back, simplistic sound which is more suited to them, and far stronger than the majority of the album lyrically and vocally. I thought I was listening to Green Day’s Dookie for a second. (The drums are very Tre Cool!) Things start to look up on ‘I Am an Animal’, which is like a big Biffy Clyro/Greenday mash-up; It’s nice to see a more adventurous side to them on the album on what will definitely be a great live track.

The album seems to get better as it goes on, which is good after what was a relatively shaky start, but it still doesn’t live up to the previous two. We do seem to be getting more glimpses of their old sound and less glimpses of the cheesy pop that seems to be masking what could be a really, really great album. ‘Actions That Echo’ is the one song that really really stood out to me. It’s exciting, it’s interesting and the one point where my ears actually perked up. The guitar is so strong it sounds very pop-punk, and that works nicely as a contrast to the sound of the rest of the album.

The album ends nicely, ‘Why Won’t We Change’ is a big, dramatic sounding song that complements McTrusty’s voice. It feels finished, and you feel somewhat, satisfied, but all in all, I was disappointed after expecting a lot more from them. Let’s just hope the whole pop thing doesn’t stick!

Great Divide is out now via Red Bull Records.