Post-punk band The Violent Hearts released a self-titled E.P. in 2014 and then disappeared into the ether for the next seven years. The ex-Sharks/Computers band members, James Mattock (vocals), Carl Murrihy (bass) and Aidan Sinclair (drums) had seemed to come out fighting, re-branded and ready to rock but ‘Everything and Nothing’ is the first release for quite some time. As they emerge from the shadows with a tellingly titled collection of songs it remains to be seen whether they have everything or nothing to offer.
The title track has an accompanying video filmed on an iPhone which shows the band ripping out ‘Everything and Nothing’. A simple video, showing the band playing through the song with some overlaid Instagram-style effects, is nonetheless effective as it gives you a feel for the Hearts’ performance style and live presence. ‘Porcelain World’, about living through struggle in a world where everything can fall apart so easily, has some quirky lyrics and a nostalgic VHS video. ‘’So put it on ice, and melt with me, Cause I can’t find my place in it’’. If only.
I like ‘Deeply Unaffected’ which is built around a cracking drum rhythm while S.S.E is all about the rhythm guitar. Meanwhile ‘So Removed’ is sing-along post-punk perfection, punctuated by moody vocals and rousing drums. However, as the b-side to ‘Porcelain World’, ‘Hex On Me’ offers more of the same romanticised and fluffy pop and towards the end of the album I’m starting to switch off.
I persist to find the languid ‘Terminal’ which just about picks up towards the end and ‘Anxiety’ which has an odd stumbling rhythm and a synth interlude. Nearly there and ‘Bleach In My Lungs’ brings some hope with a decent ragged bass rhythm and some heart behind the drum solos before we float into ‘In A Dream’. We end on a high with short instrumental ‘Eddy’ which is a breath of fresh air.
This is a band that receives a lot of praise for their pop-infused punk with lofty comparisons to the likes of The Jam and The Clash – but I just don’t get that feel from The Violent Hearts. I don’t feel the heart, that magnetic rhythm from these tracks and, as a result, for me they just all start to sound alike. The album is too consistently lightweight and poppy and there’s not really any identification for me with attitude or personality. I suspect it may be very different to see them face to face but you have to want to do that enough to buy a ticket first. ‘Everything and Nothing’ does nothing for me I’m afraid.
- ‘Everything and Nothing’ is released on Friday (3 September). You can get your copy HERE.
- The Violent Hearts are due to play a series of headline shows later this month:
www.facebook.com/theviolenthearts
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