Labels: Red Leader
Review by: Andy Malcolm
I believe I gave a pretty good review to these guys EP earlier this year. Listening to this new album, I’d say that I haven’t changed my mind. Scream Hello play a bloody catchy form of distinctly American, poppy indie rock. Lots of soaring vocals, energetic riffage, rip-roaring hooks, and strong, clear vocals. I’ve done a million reviews yet sometimes I feel like I still don’t really know how to describe anything. Life eh? Anyway, Scream Hello mostly hit a good spot on this album. Their songs nestle somewhere between Samiam, Hey Mercedes and Sundays Best, and if you are a sucker for a decent tune played with loud, yet not particularly discordant guitars, then this will probably appeal to you. Some of the songs do tend to be a bit long (three of them clear 6 minutes), but generally Scream Hello are adept enough to pull off this style over the course of the LP. The opening song is particularly ace, although I am not really sure what the lyrics about plums are about. Best lyric on the record: “Efficiency kills the heart”. Yes, yes. Other stand out songs include the wandering “20, 21”, a languid, blissful effort that pleases me muchly before it lurches off excitedly. Skip “Bullets” though, for it is tedious, generic hardcore. And “We Don’t Exist” is a real messy muddle of a track. Apart from those minor mis-steps mind you, this is a good album, and I suggest you check it out if you like those bands I mentioned earlier. Cool!