The Bluedrones (Expecting To Fly - The Bluetones)

Name: indiecater

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Product:	Expecting To Fly - The Bluetones
Date:	01/12/00 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fabulous Singles.

Disadvantages: Contains More Fillers Than Your Average Christmas Stocking.

When they appeared on the scene they were dubbed the Bluetone Roses. High praise indeed but it was really asking for too much as the Bluetones are really quite a limited band. The promise shown by the early singles has simply not materialised.

'Are You Blue Or Are You Blind', 'Slight Return' and 'Bluetonic' were a trio of fantastic singles that proved that jangle pop was alive and well. If everything on the album was half as good then 'Expecting To Fly' would be a winner. As it is there are more lumpen stodgy tracks than bristling shiny ones. 'Talking to Clary' for example is just pointless drivel that should never have seen the light of day.

Check out the b-side to 'Cut Some Rug' called 'Castle Rock' and you get an idea what the album should have contained. Mark Morriss, archetypal Ian Brown clone and Bluetones leadman frankly looks ridiculous when trying to persuade with us stuff like 'Things Change', there is something plodding about the groove that has b-band written all over it.

Maybe I'm been a bit harsh because there are a few tunes that create toe tapping reactions. Of course there are the three singles that were lifted from the album. 'Bluetonic' has a wonderful chorus and the guitar riffs are quite impressive. 'Slight Return' is hard to beat and will probably be the only true great legacy that the Bluetones will bequeath to music. 'Cut Some Rug' is the weakest of the singles but stands head and shoulders over most of the other tracks on this album.

With the rest of the tracks it's a struggle to pick out anything interesting. 'Carnt be Trusted' is mildly satisfying in a straight forward indiepop sort of way. Two other tracks, 'Fountainhead' and 'Vampire' also distinguish themselves in not being instantly forgettable. Everything else is mindnumbingly boring and devoid of any sort inspiration.
r>I'd put the Bluetones one step ahead of say a band like Cast but several staircases behind their influences, The Stone Roses. In short they are a band that should put in a lot more effort because on this display a short pop career beckons (OK I know they have released a couple of albums since so maybe I'm completely wrong) although Butlins might be interested. Superior quality recordings my hat.