Xmas Albums Calendar, December 1: The Futureheads - This Is Not The World

Tracklist
1. The Beginning Of The Twist (3:36)
2. Walking Backwards (3:52)
3. Think Tonight (3:28)
4. Radio Heart (3:02)
5. This Is Not The World (3:34)
6. Sale Of The Century (3:22)
7. Hard To Bear (3:06)
8. Work Is Never Done (3:19)
9. Broke Up The Time (3:14)
10. Everything's Changing Today (3:05)
11. Sleet (3:08)
12. See What You Want To See (2:42)

I can't believe what my eyes must be registering when reading professional reviews because what my ears are receiving is something completely else which goes straight into my heart. This Is Not The World is so good that I want to stand up from my chair in front of the computer right now, or from a chair in school, or from my seat on the bus or the train and scream "This can't be the world!". I get pissed off by big-mouthed critics moaning about never-ending riffs that aren't original and how The Futureheads have taken a step in the wrong direction.

Those reviewers couldn't be more wrong! The Sunderland quartet couldn't have find a better place to nestle in than they are now. This Is The World is a triumphant rock record that exceeds the factors to why the preceding News & Tributes had such low sales with a mile. Sure, everything is not as original as it perhaps could have been. But my opinion is that News & Tributes was a bit too unconventional for its own very very best and this third album delivers the fullest potential I heard from the band's eponymous debut album.

Packed with loads of energy, a disposition of PowerPop with big P's, and a hunger for revenge, The Futureheads set out for a hunt for a definite reputation as the most frantic and vital indie rock band with a love for all things close to the true post-punk core worth looking for. There's something so pride-filling and admirable about how the band exuberantly in-your-face's everyone with their most accesible and catchy album yet, after being kicked by their former label 679 Recordings to release it on their newly started Nul Records. In your fucking face everyone!

"It's time to wake up! It's time to change! Let's get it started! I feel like there's so much to rearrange. Come on! I need your help with this. Why don't we get it started with a kiss?!" And I would gladly shower lead singer Barry Hyde with kisses if I weren't straight because I get so freaking excited everytime he begins to chant on the astonishing lead single and opener The Beginning Of The Twist that would knock The Pigeon Detectives' This Is An Emergency head off anytime.

But this is just the beginning of the twist that is the third album of the magnificent new The Futureheads. The party goes on inevitably, indestructibly and horridly powerful in eleven more songs. Second track Walking Backwards is one of the peaks with some of the most catchy and raunchy riffs this side of The Strokes. It makes me want to create an insane dance mostly consisting of swiftly moving backwards with wide open eyes following and merrily joining in, as I normally do on just about any song by the band to be honest, on the line "Walking backwards! With nothing to say!".

The truth is that I'm yet to encounter an album that winds me up more than this one does, and another truth is that it's hard to find such a consistent but consistently refreshing album this year. The brilliantine runs steadily through the melodically riffing and smartly written Think Tonight ("Because you've had too much, to think tonight."), the charming single Radio Heart, the simple but moving Hard To Bear reminiscent of Metronomy's Heartbreaker in theme and the terrific, frantic call-and-response utilizing Broke Up The Time with its icredibly infectious chorus.

There's not much more to say, The Futureheads have found home, or at least a place where their sound is finished in near perfection. Never mind what professional writers say, listen to a fellow man, a blogger! This Is Not The World is so good I don't know if I should laugh and cry. Consider all, but especially this, Xmas Albums Calendar entry as a highly potential christmas gift to just about anyone. Because it should be a crime not to love The Futureheads after hearing this album. To not acknowledge the greatness of this album should be illegal.

Christmas tip: Give this to your teenage son or uncle who are into rock/punk. If they like to wear braces, checkered shirts beneath and manchester pants then that's a sign that this is THE album for them.

The Futureheads - Broke Up The Time (ysi)