Enter Shikari - Common Dreads

Viewer Rating:will4592 has rated Enter Shikari - Common Dreads rating: 4 Star

Many today wonder why we as a society still have yet to reach the lands promised by Bill Hicks. A land where free thought and expression are rewarded and apathy and greed are treated with the most severe of punishments. In my mind, it comes down to our feeling of futility. When we feel the deepest of rage against those who oppress us, we simply let it subside. Our struggle is pointless, the energy is wasted. Inevitably our revolution will be circular so why should we propagate the idea that we can achieve something? We have become too grey in our thinking. There are no causes worth fighting for, only lesser evils. This is why we need “Common Dreads”. This is an album to wash out our perspectives. To help us see the world in black and white. But is this not a bad thing? Does this not retard our development as a society? No, it strengthens us. We now see a world we can change, a world we can make better, a world worth dying for. And isn't that what the world was promised in November 2008, a better tomorrow. The album is perfectly surmised in its opening track, “Common Dreads”; a spoken word featuring the synchronised voices of children, the elderly, Roughton “Rou” Reynolds and members from all races and creeds around the world. What are they saying? A simple message, “we must unite”. The differing nationalities and social backgrounds are vital in the power of such a message. Regardless of where, who or what we are, we are “here to unite through our Common Dreads”. Overall, the album is a vast improvement over 2007 mediocre “Take to the Skies”, an album too shout-y for ravers and too dance-y for the metal heads. Despite this, the band found their niche and this album is designed not to pamper them, but to challenge them. Every track on this album is a unique and experimental attempt, “The Jester” being the strongest example. Beginning with a spoken word piece and a jazz instrumental, the song twists and turns like old-school Biffy Clyro with a truly powerful breakdown section before sliding comfortably back to our jazz beginning. The songs are crisp with strong “Reuben” and “Million Dead” overtones. Yet despite challenging their loyal followers on several levels, there are harks back to the old days; best represented on easily the weakest track, “ZZZonked”. In fact it is when the album decides to specifically appease the fans, that it loses its footing. But thankfully, this is kept to a minimum. Yet like “Nirvana” a decade before them, under this fast, heavy rock exists pure pop gold. Tracks such as “Wall” and single “Juggernauts” are wonderful pop songs in disguise. Lyrically, Rou has never been stronger. His lyrics may use simple rhymes and sometimes get lost in the haze on nonsensical screams, which thankfully are kept to a minimum. Yet despite this his words have a power to them. An overbearing sense of hope. The feeling that one can conquer the world by following his teachings, “we will sing as one in solidarity, we will sing together”. Dealing with specifically political and contentious issues, only adds to their strength. Be it the apathy of our society in the phenomenal “Step Up” or the current energy crisis with the frustratingly catchy “No Sleep Tonight”, Rou's poetry has developed in leaps and bounds and we can only gleefully anticipate the next step in his progression. Ironically, despite being an overbearingly positive body, the perfect companion for the album is “Gallows” horrendously bleak “Grey Britain”. In terms of music, both albums are similar with gloriously heavy sound mixed in with ludicrous experimentation. Lyrically, however, the albums are worlds apart. Frank Carter is here to tell us that “there ain't nothing else, so kill yourself” while Rou urges us to make “a bigger hole, not just for children's hands but for bigger plans”. Why are such polar opposites perfect companions you may ask? Why because they are so different. When one finishes “Grey Britain” the anger is firm any flowing freely through pore in your body. You're going to break something or someone. But tragically, there is no one to fight for or against, because everything is pointless and bland. Then you move to “Common Dreads”, your anger and intensity will be sustained, yet something different emerges. Feelings of strength, power and change. We can do it “if we group together”. That is why “Common Dreads” is so important. It is the musical equivalent of an adrenaline shot straight to the conscious and the effects won't run out any time soon.

Review published on the 02 December 2009 21:37