The Pigeon Detectives
Emergency

Take the Arctic Monkeys, mix them with the cheerful lyrics of Franz Ferdinand/The Fratellis, and add a pinch of "Strokesian" sounds: you'll get the Pigeon Detectives.

This English band from Leeds, much like the more famous and celebrated Kaiser Chiefs, arrives in 2008 with the second studio album, "Emergency". "Unusual name for a record, cover more suitable for a comic, and the band name really ridiculous" you might be thinking, my friends. Yet, even to my own amazement, this LP can be considered the consecration for the investigative pigeons.

As you well know, the land of Albion is known for giving us numerous bands that over the years move from the podium of "Next Big Thing" to oblivion, but although these Pigeon Detectives are in sound and characteristics similar to most groups in circulation, this CD can be pleasantly listened to even by the most spoiled ears; the CD opens with "This Is An Emergency", an excellent start to the album, with wild guitars, a voice that is not brilliant but not bad either, and an incessant rhythm that would make even the pickiest tap their feet. Everything proceeds at a high and smooth pace, with a notable fluidity of texts and satisfying arrangements. "I'm Not Gonna Take This", "I'm A Liar" and "Nothing Gonna Do With You" are the peaks of the album, especially the last one mentioned, characterized by a relaxing voice, melodic and simple text but well-structured, and acoustic guitar accompaniment which signifies the variability of constructing simple songs that are not always the same. Despite the album's pleasantness, there are many questions that arise after listening to this product: the album sounds quite identical to the first one sonically, and what about the third? Although the CD is enjoyable, I notice great, too much similarity with the previous album and other bands, and all this could lead to their early disappearance if they don't try to renew the sound.

"Emergency" concludes with the little masterpiece "Love You For A Day/Hate You For A Week" and the fun "Everybody Wants Me/Draw The Curtain", perhaps the two best tracks of the work. A test passed for the band from Leeds, maybe this work even surpasses the much acclaimed "Wait For Me", released last year. The questions I talked about earlier remain, but for now, let's give Caesar what is Caesar's. A 3-star album with songs a bit all alike but catchy and nice, a voice that doesn't amaze but doesn't make you regret spending money on this album and a nice mix of electric guitars and drums for a truly listenable pop/rock sound.

Tracklist:

This Is An Emergency

I'm Not Gonna Take This

Keep On Your Dress

Don't You Wanna Find Out

I'll Be Waiting

I'm A Liar

You Don't Need It

Say It Like You Mean It

Love You For A Day/Hate You For A Week

Making Up Numbers

Everybody Wants Me/Draw The Curtain

One merit: incessant rhythm, energetic guitar riffs, and fun lyrics, all mixed with a post/punk revival sound.

One flaw: everything too similar, one wonders what will become of them in a few years, and if anything memorable will really remain from this album. So-so voice.

Key tracks: This Is An Emergency, Making Up Numbers, Everybody Wants Me, Love You For A Day/Hate You For A Week

Regards.