Red Rum Club: How To Steal the World
The third album by the Liverpool legends is next up for review.
Side A opens with ‘Drown’ probably my favourite song on the album. Lyrically the track is brilliant and classic Red Rum Club with tales of romance all captured around military like drums and trumpet. A very strong start. ‘Love Me Like You Wanna Be Loved’ is the next track another of the albums singles, and a very catchy affair. With handclaps and strumming guitars. The chorus is so infectious and you cannot help but sing along. Definitely a future live staple. ‘Vibrate’ follows another song about romance, but this time the problems associated with a new budding romance. All told through the tales of 10 missed calls. ‘Summer of Another Lover’ is the 4th track on Side A. A leap away from the typical sound of the band, it’s a little darker, with synths and meatier bass lines. There’s still nods to previous Red Rum Club, most notably the trumpet and Frans brilliant vocals. Another of my favourites. ‘Nightcalling’ is the penultimate track on Side A, another single and now a live favourite a very 70s inspired track, almost disco like in places. The change of pace throughout makes it an amazing listen and it’s easy to see why it’s a live fave. ‘Eighteen’ ends Side A and sees the band slow things down with an acoustic track. It really showcases Frans brilliant vocals and each of the bands talent brilliant they all get there time to breathe and showcase what they can do. A brilliant change in direction.
Side B opens with ‘How To Steal the World’ which has an almost Britpop sound, reminding me of Supergrass and early Blur, it’s brilliant. So upbeat and happy. The song however is still an original affair. The band are making some of the most interesting music in the U.K. right now. ‘Sweet Degrees’ is the next track on Side B and it changes the sound up again, with horns and trumpet parts which are almost mariachi sounding. The drums are also a vital part in this track, they help to set the pace. The songs vocals are delivered in stages some are breathtakingly fast where in other places they are slowed down. Following this track is ‘Come Back, Anna Marie’ maybe the catchiest song on the album. A very 80s sounding affair. Honestly there’s not much to say about this track. Other than it’s a brilliant pop song! ‘Disappear’ is next another brilliant song lyrically, the band manage to make rhyming so effortless, it’s clever and catchy songwriting at its very best. ‘Monaco’ is the penultimate track, about adventures in the south of France. The song itself almost sounds like a film soundtrack, a fitting comparison. The albums most underrated track. A future indie classic. It even has an ABBA reference what more could you want!‘Beautiful Mind’ ends the album a beautiful tribute to the bands late friend ‘Lee Kent’ a brilliant song, and a fitting tribute to what the band call ‘A truly incredible artist and a incredibly kind soul’