Verdict: Four stars
IT has been three years since The View last released a studio album but their latest full-length compilation, Ropewalk was well worth the wait.
The Dundee indie-rockers worked alongside The Strokes’ guitarist Albert Hammond Jr, Swedish-born engineer Gus Oberg and Vampire Weekend’s Justin Gerrish to produce an ensemble of post-punk-influenced sounds.
The band who are said to be Scotland’s answer to The Libertines comprise of Lead singer Kyle Falconer, lead guitarist Pete Reilly, bassist and singer Kieran Webster and drummer Steve Morrison.
Ropewalk, The View’s fifth studio album is set for release on September 4 and consists of ten tracks, with highlights including Under The Rug, Marriage and Cracks.
Cracks, which also shows off lead vocals from Kieran Webster, holds a punk-rock 70’s vibe throughout. Think of The Raincoats with a Dundonian accent and you’ll get a sense of this track.
Although it might sound a bit typical to say that the first song on the album is my personal favourite, I have to admit that it is – the track has a 70s feel to it and bounces straight into a start that is reminiscent of part of the original Doctor Who Theme tune but then rapidly changes to classic punk guitar and drum beats.
But I’m not hooked until I hear Kyle Falconer’s folky vocals, which work well with the gravelly guitars and soft rock beats. The song is an earworm, with its catchy chorus, “Everybody knows you get swept under the rug anyway” and jJust keep letting the sun spread the pavement, don’t let the clouds cover you”. I even find myself singing along, much to the disappointment of my colleagues.
Marriage also has a catchy laid back hook, but the vocals are this time soulful and show us a new side to the band. And if it wasn’t for the lyrics “you’re so pretty you don’t need to keep your clothes on” lyrics you might even say that the band has mellowed by miles in comparison to what they were like when they released their last studio album, Cheeky for a Reason.
One track I was most surprised by was Psychotic, which is exactly the opposite of what you would expect of a song with that name. It is mellow, slow tempo and Kyle puts us at ease with his laid back charm, which is prevalent in this particular track.
Overall the album is an indie lover's dream, with a mixture of punk-rock, pop, catchy lyrics and Converse-tapping beats. And I have to heap praise on Kyle for yet again coming across as effortlessly talented and well suited for the indie-rock genre.
by Jemma McGuffie
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