It’s a truth universally acknowledged that, in times of musical uncertainty, the press will clamour for the return of “real” rock’n’roll. From the reaction of journalists so far, 2012 appears to be Minneapolitans Howler’s turn to be thrust blinking into the spotlight.
Obvious comparisons are to be made with The Strokes, relative newcomers The Drums and, curiously, the neglected 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster. There’s nothing here remotely challenging: the vocals lean towards the soporific and the lyrics don’t so much flirt with cliché as get down on one knee and ask for its hand. Yet, for the most part, America Give Up is fine, bubblegum fun. Its first half is relentless; the songs scream along so fast it almost feels as if they’re trying to barge past one another for attention.
Halfway through, Too Much Blood sees Howler take their foot off the accelerator and produce the slow-burn album highlight. That it’s followed by the Strokes-by-numbers of Wailing (Making Out) is a shame.
These guys undoubtedly have potential and will no doubt prove a huge live draw in student unions across the country but, for now, they simply don’t have the songs to match the hype.
