THE futureheads - this is not THE world

Otherwise, though, it’s pretty much business as usual: the band have stuck to their formula of melodic, jerky post-punk, as heralded by singles ‘The Beginning Of The Twist’ and ‘Radio Heart’. This Is Not The World has been produced by Youth of the punk band Killing Joke (whose credits also include PM Dawn), and it has to be said he’s done a bang-up job: the sound is impressively punchy and in-your-face. Despite this, sadly, the album as a whole is, well, dull. With a couple of exceptions (‘Broke Up The Time’, ‘Work Is Never Done’), the songs are executed energetically and with flair, but ultimately fall flat. It’s a bit like watching an excellent production of a terrible play. For all the dark machinations of the crapulent music industry, perhaps it does give bands the time to come up with ideas rather than filling in tax returns. Or whatever it is record labels do all day. Illustration: Simon Brader of Lo-Tec