There's nothing in need of editing here! (The Back Room - Editors)

Member Name: DanielKemp

Product:	The Back Room - Editors
Date:	14/07/09 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tom Smith has excellent vocals, the band is ferocious in their intent

Disadvantages: Open Your Arms is the only weak link on the album

Editors - The Back Room (2005)

Producer: Jim Abbiss

Lights
Munich
Blood
Fall
All Sparks
Camera
Fingers in the Factories
Bullets
Someone Says
Open Your Arms
Distance

Editors are an indie-rock band who formed a little over half a decade ago and came to prominence when they released their debut album, The Back Room, in 2005. The voice of Tom Smith bears more than a passing resemblance to the vocals of Ian Curtis from Joy Division; at times he seems to be mirroring his style flawlessly.

The first third of The Back Room is packed full of energetic and snappy tracks, the shortest being the opening song, Lights. The fluid guitar riffs come towards you in high numbers and each and every one is bustling with character. The chorus is right up my street, "If fortune favours the brave then I am as poor as they come!" There's nothing poor about what Tom Smith has written here and it is truly a heroic way to start the album.

Munich is more of the same - great fun, while retaining a vast amount of attitude. It was the second single released from The Back Room, and again it is the chorus which grabs my attention, "People are fragile things, you should know by now. Be careful what you put them through!" It is a very true statement and I feel that many people, including myself, can identify with that.

The first track to bring a change of tempo is the magnificent Fall. The entire song is structured very well, with multiple melodies colliding cheerily. And while Tom Smith's contribution of vocals is vital to its success, the full band has succeeded in marrying the crystal clear production to the Joy Division-esque atmosphere.

In my opinion All Sparks is so-so. It was the fourth single taken from The Back Room and it's not an untruth to say that it is very similar to Munich. I think it just lacks the element of surprise because 1) Munich is a superior track and 2) it follows Munich's template far too closely. My dear Editors, there's nothing wrong with diversity!

The lack of diversity is soon taken care of though with definitive album highlight, Bullets. It was released as the first single from the album and it really has it all. The devastating introduction isn't the half of it, with violent musicianship from Editors throughout. But it doesn't stop there, because the way in which Tom Smith sings the lyrics - as if he has been smacked by a wet kipper in the cold light of morning - is astonishingly affecting, and it always takes me by surprise, "If something has to give - and it always will... You don't need this disease, no, not right now!"

The longest track on The Back Room is Open Your Arms. Tom Smith plays the role of Slow Balladeer, but unfortunately the song never quite manages to take off. It starts off with rudimentary drum and bass work, but regrettably never evolves into anything worthwhile, and for the first time on the album the band has completely lost my attention.

The closing song, Distance, is different to anything else on The Back Room. Bring in a drum machine and you simply cannot fail people, the 1980's are back, baby! The centrepiece of Distance is the overdubbed vocal harmonies which begin at around the 1 minute mark; they sound so rich and full of life, beckoning you to have another listen. Well, I certainly could not have hoped for a better album closer than this.

In my opinion, The Back Room is a must buy. As far as the musicianship goes it may lack originality (in a few places I thought I actually was listening to Joy Division), but Editors manage to carry it all off with their trademark style and fervour. Add to this the splendid lyrics and voice of Tom Smith and you cannot go far wrong!

8/10

Daniel Kemp

Read more reviews at www.danielkempreviews.co.uk

Summary: A must buy considering you can find it so cheap!