Enter Shikari
Common Dreads

A grand return for Enter Shikari, with an album that marks a sharp turning point compared to the previous one but, above all, is a clear and decisive step forward in the career of the British band.

While "Take To The Skies" was a homogeneous and compact album, in "Common Dreads" the influences are manifold, and the sound varies drastically from one track to another, ranging from the pop/rock or alternative, if you will, of "No Sleep Tonight" and "Wall" (almost U2-esque) to the heavy drum'n'bass contaminations of "Antwerpen", "Zzzonked", and both "Havoc", as well as the techno tail (!) of the acoustic (!!) "Gap In The Fence".

The only unifying elements between the two albums remain the synths and an enviable explosiveness, although in the initial trio "Solidarity"/"Step Up"/"Juggernauts", between double pedal and scream, there are still echoes of "Take To The Skies" (and indeed they are the only tracks appreciated by the nostalgic of the old sound).

Where "Take To The Skies" lacked variety, "Common Dreads" is capable of surprising by continuously transforming while maintaining the quality and energy of the tracks consistently... Four stars and a mandatory listen (at least of "Antwerpen") for the younger audience.