We Are Scientists - Barbara

Heute erschien mit "Nice Guys" ein weiterer Vorbote für das vierte Album von We Are Scientists. Nachdem mich "Rules Don't Stop", das erste Ergebnis ihrer neuesten Versuchsreihen, nicht wirklich überzeugen konnte, haben die Wissenschaftler nun wieder einen catchy Ohrwurm ausgetüftelt, der alle Fans von "With Love And Squalor" (2005) begeistern dürfte. "Barbara" entstand in Laboren in New York, Los Angeles und London und beim Experimentieren erhielten Keith Murray und Chris Cain Unterstützung von Andy Burrows, der zuvor bei Razorlight hinter dem Schlagzeug saß, nun aber offiziell ins Forscherteam aufgenommen wurde. We Are Scientists präsentieren uns nun in einer halben Stunde 10 Songs, die keine sensationellen Thesen aufstellen oder zu bewegenden Erkenntnissen in der Powerpop-Forschung führen, sondern die besten Elemente aus den Vorgängeralben zu unterhaltsamen Verbindungen ("I Don't Bite", "Break It Up" oder "Central AC") neu kombinieren.

"Rules Don't Stop" Video

The album’s zenith is surely ace drinking paean Jack & Ginger. Aside from the verses of scuffed guitars and the cute kids TV show synth melody, there’s a chunk of Elvis Costello regret in the chorus as Murray intones: “No matter what I do, its way too late too late for self-control”.

Following tune Pittsburgh is another solid effort, albeit slower with wiry, indie-psych guitars reminiscent of Mansun’s underrated Legacy single, with poignant vocal harmonies and imposing Burrows drumming. Excellent album-closer Central AC is perhaps the most surprising moment on Barbara. Powered by snappy guitar riffs seemingly borrowed from Broken Bells’ equally excellent The Mall and Misery, sped up and aggravated, its chorus explodes into happy-period Beatles sunshine.

It’s not all about Murray and Burrows. Cain’s bass is allowed to shine on the Rules Don’t Stop and notably I Don’t Bite. The latter is great fun, led by an obese bassline that surely brought Cain’s bandmates and studio minions out in lottery winner smiles.

Whether or not the addition of Burrows is solely responsible for the improvement in consistency on this fourth album isn’t clear, but Barbara is their best work by far. Current fans will be glad and new ones may be easier to come by, particularly if the new material can be performed during festival season with the zeal it is here.
(bbc.co.uk)

"Nice Guys" Video