The Temper Trap
Conditions

The young blood of rock

Television isn't always a bad influence. In the United Kingdom, the channel 4music is currently airing (August 2009) a short spot introducing the summer music programming: a group of kids camping, an evening concert, a joyful atmosphere, love affairs, sunsets. Accompanying the images is not the usual summer hit, but a unique, melodic, and hypnotic track, truly a sudden crush. It's impossible to resist the curiosity to do some online research. Blessed with luck, the title emerges: it's "Sweet Disposition", a song already known to the Anglo-Saxon audience, practically unknown in Italy. They are The Temper Trap, an Australian band now naturalized as English, making waves even before the official release of their first studio album, "Conditions", scheduled for late August.

And it's "Conditions" that we want to talk about in this brief review, likely the first in Italy about the band from Melbourne.  

"Conditions" represents the impressive yet measured debut of a young band gifted with great talent. A band that seemingly doesn't chase easy success but aims to establish itself by building its musical personality, carefully avoiding flashy chart-topping singles and instead focusing on the overall coherence of the album. In the ten tracks, the aesthetic influences of the more recent rock are evident, but especially the work done on each single track. The TTT seem to perfectly understand the structure of a rock song, managing to perform it without ever sounding repetitive or excessive. Their rock is powerful and melodic, featuring a pulsating rhythm supported by judiciously dosed electronics with the evident contribution of the English producer Jim Abbiss (UNKLE, Adele, Arctic Monkeys). Finally, there's the voice of Dougy Mandagi: moving and powerful, it often recalls the unmatchable vocal shades of Tom Yorke.

•1.       "Love Lost"

Ambient keyboard and the intense voice of Dougy Mandagi introduce the track, which continues powerfully, reminiscent (especially in the guitars) of some unforgettable chapters of Coldplay.  

•2.       "Rest"

Chilling. Elegant electronics (Trentemoller) and an unyielding rhythm. The final vocals are very Tom Yorke-esque.

•3.       "Sweet Disposition"

The first spark. The album's first masterpiece. Perhaps an unintended tribute to the sound and rhythm of early U2. Supported by simple, never banal lyrics, it carries the scent of the last days of summer, loaded with melancholy and a desire to live every moment. To be listened to till it's over...

•4.       "Down River"

Engaging track whose vocals – intentionally pushed to euphonic limits – play a central role. Stops and reprises borrowed from Coldplay and Franz Ferdinand.

•5.       "Soldier On"

The next track returns to melody, introduced by an acoustic guitar riff and Dougy Mandagi's tormented voice reminiscent of Jeff Buckley. A ballad with an American flavor and an epic finale in the best rock tradition.

•6.       "Fader"

A potential single featuring a captivating rhythm section and timeless song melodies.

•7.       "Fools"

Style exercise on the theme of melodic rock that once again crosses Edgian guitar with ambient atmospheres. Falsetto and catchy choruses.

•8.       "Resurrection"

Another episode born from the band's ability to create original tracks by blending various rock aesthetics. Once again, the finale is powerful, in full rock and roll tradition.

•9.       "Science of Fear"

The album's second masterpiece. Sensual vocals and intense lyrics supported by a perfect rhythm section and the moving flow of strings. Epic and melancholic as the most intense tracks by Radiohead (peeking in is "Jigsaw Falling Into Place").

•10.   "Drum Song"

An instrumental track reminiscent of The Cure's Disintegration and Faith.

                                                                                                                                                                      Review by Arturo Tedeschi