Really? You’d never heard of The Auteurs? Not even when you looked up the name on Google before settling on your own band name? Really, never?
It seems that same slapdash lack of basic research spills into The Auteur‘s anodyne sound and recycled music. The American influence is so massively all-pervading that singer Alex Rumble uses a completely fake US accent to give the lie to the band’s own tagline, describing themselves as “everything you have ever heard but a bit better and a bit more English”. If The Auteur are an English sounding band then Guns’n'Roses are the epitome of Guatemalan…
Back in the far mists of time (or the early nineties, as some would have it) there was a brief explosion of indie-pop-punk guitar bands with hummable tunes and hard-working credentials. At the top of the pile stood Mega City Four, a second division band with premier division lyrical ability, who briefly achieved stardom by virtue of endless touring, catchy tunes and neat guitar hooks. They fell from grace spectacularly with an introverted album of songs just when the world was crying out for big chant-a-long choruses and rousing anthems. (Hello, Oasis). The Hey! Watch This… EP reminds me of a ditched MC4 album of demo b-sides that were deemed too useless to release and lacking any of the lyrical fire that would have brought them out of the also-ran doldrums.
This is what The Auteur pass off as their primo song writing talent. What’s extraordinary is that the demos that make up two-thirds of the Hey! Watch This… EP sound as good as the rather over-produced title track. “Trampoline” may have a slightly tinny drum sound but it has a rawness that might attract attention.
“Hey! Watch This…” is the cry of an attention-seeking eight year old uses moments before they fall off their skateboard, scuff their knuckles and end up with grit in their knees. If only The Auteur were that interesting. They toured with Attack! Attack! recently; enough said.
And, truly, they’ve NEVER heard of The Auteurs? Gimme strength!
Posted in Music reviews | 4 Comments »
Tags: Hey! Watch This..., pop, pop-punk, punk, The Auteur
March 13th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I think this review is a bit harsh but have to agree with the name thing – dont any bands think to check anymore. Also whilst not as bad as you’re saying, the music is somewhat lacking and whilst its harmless enough, this is just bland generic poppy pop punk that lacks punch. i’m sure people will lap it up but as for longevity – i just dont see it
June 19th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I think that review was way too harsh. The Auteur are a fresh sound that breaks away from the typical pop punk genre of most bands today. And saying that the singer sounds american is ridiculous! If you listen to Youmeatsix, I’m sorry but he’s got more of an american twang in his voice. I think the fact that Alex Rumble sounds so english in his singing makes the band more appealing and even though some songs are a lot better than others, its not the worst thing you’ll ever hear. It’s enough to get the kids up and dancing and I’m sure that’s what the band is all about.
June 20th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
err..total crap, do you actually know what your talking about – obviously someone had stepped on your balls the day you wrote this – get some taste!!
June 20th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Well I guess you have to earn a crust, but every other review I have seen has been incredibly positive, and you are so way off beam regarding the American accent it’s laughable. There isn’t a hint of Texas anywhere. Nice hair, Nice face, has a riff that stays in your head for days – maybe you are frustrated cos’ you can’t get it out, and it’s driving you nuts. That’s always the sign of a good hook.