The Chemists : 'Theories of Dr Lovelock'
Released: Out Now!!!
Label: Distiller Records
The Chemists like choruses, it takes only two tracks from the band’s debut album Theories of Dr Lovelock to work this out; the problem is however though the band unfortunately seem to think a strong chorus is a way of making up for dire verses and clichéd lyrics. Sounding like a bizarre mix of Muse style alt-rock and Scouting for Girls style naff pop with a bit of emo thrown in for good measure, the Bristolian quintet have very little to offer the listener apart from a whole lot of blandness.
Lacking in subtly and variation, Theories of Dr Lovelock is an album of intensity and direction but leaves little room for dynamics or emotion. One of the underlying problems of the album is that the band makes it very difficult to relate to or care about the music they produce or the lyrics they write when they embody everything the word cliché means. 'This City', the album’s opening track (if you discredit a pointless 34 second Richard E Grant fronted monologue) is a lively jaunt through one man’s tale of jet lag, sex, drugs and hookers (thus comes in the clichés) is likeable enough yet with no great hook, passes you by without making any great impression.
The main problem with The Chemists is that despite having their own (if not particularly good) sound, they are at the same time extremely unoriginal, with tracks like 'Something For The Weekend' and 'Radio Booth' seeing vocalist Johnny Benn’ adopt growling Dave Grohl style vocals and post-punk Foo Fighter style guitar riffs.
Whilst many of the tracks are merely standard slices of contemporary rock, when the band does attempt to break away from the insipidness of it all, they are able to pull it off, as 'Waiting' proves. At just over 2 minutes the track is a dream-like cacophony of interlocking gravely riffs, echoed mumbled vocals and a simple yet sufficient drum beat; not exactly groundbreaking but performed with integrity and skill, it’s a shame the band didn’t feel the need to experiment more.
The Chemists are very much a product of our time; it seems they have absorbed many popular teen music genres, put them into one big blender and what they have produced is the result, only it’s not very good. A real shame considering Theories of Dr Lovelock does showcase what the band is capable of, and when 2010 picks its bands to make it in the big time come festival season, The Chemists are the ones who are going to be left behind, Stuck on repeat.
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