Band: Lostprophets
Release: Weapons
Release Date: Out Now
Since their debut release Lostprophets have undeniably become incredibly well known if not a household name. Paving the way for such bands as The Blackout and Kids In Glass Houses, allowing them to develop and improve upon an already rock solid foundation. The dillema many bands now face when coming to produce any new material is; ‘what can we do that’s new?’. This sometimes leads to less than favourable albums being released.
‘Weapons’ improves on the previous two releases as Lostprophets don’t necessarily try and fashion anything new but instead focus upon building on the positive aspects of their back catalogue. Catchy, toe-tapping numbers are interlaced with more thought out and meaningful tunes. It may not have the raw ferocity of their debut album but in it’s place is a more mature approach to song writing.
With the exception of Ian Watkins’ impromptu rapping on ‘Better Off Dead’ (it’s not bad; to be fair, it’s a good effort) the album comes and goes without anything other than exactly what you expect from the band, a well built pop rock album. Standout tracks on the album are without a doubt ‘If You Bring A Gun, We’ll Bring An Arsenal’ and ‘Somedays’. The former showing off the bands talent as one of the better arena bands in their genre and the latter demonstrating the ability they have to write something with heart.
Although at times you can hear aspects of other bands, notably bands that Lostprophets had previously influenced, in some of the music, they still manage to put their own unique stamp on everything they do. This new release will arguably not do anything to improve the bands popularity but it most certainly will not do anything to harm it.
8/10
Reviewer: Adam Frost
