Review: Catfish & The Bottlemen // The Ride

Catfish & The Bottlemen’s 2014 debut ‘The Balcony’ made an absolute storm, it’s an album that has propelled them to within touching distance of festival headline status. Their latest outing, ‘The Ride’, could be what puts them their.

‘7’ opens the album and it epitomises the step they’ve made between albums – a very small one. Other than polishing up the sound from the first album it’s difficult to see how the band has changed. Lyrically not a huge amount has changed with songs about girls, partying and regrets. Musically not a huge amount has changed either other than a slightly less frantic and fuller sound.

The most glaring thing missing from this album and Catfish & The Bottlemsn’s discography is a ‘Wonderwall’, a ‘Mr Brightside’, a song that will launch them from a good band to a great one. ‘Soundcheck’, their first single from the album, is the one that comes closest. With a sing-along chorus and a theme reflecting the difficulties of love and touring it’s an absolute hit with fans of the band, but not one that’s going to convert people that aren’t.

With all this said ‘The Ride’ is an excellent album, it improves and develops the band from their raw debut, however second albums are always difficult, especially if your first one is as successful as ‘The Balcony’ was. However it’s hard not to look at this album as a disappointment because it could have been so much more.

(8/10)

-Luke

Stereo Brain: Top 10 Albums of 2016 So Far

10. Rusty Shackle // Dusk

Brilliant alternative folk. FULL REVIEW

9. Andy Hull & Rober McDowell // Swiss Army Man (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

An unusual inclusion however this a beautiful and musically brilliant original soundtrack the kind of which has been missing from modern film.

8. Black Peaks // Statues

The kick in the teeth the british rock scene needed. What an album, what a band!

7. Catfish & The Bottlemen // The Ride

Second albums are difficult, Catfish & The Bottlemen have found that out the hard way and despite it being a great album, they still havent got that 'Wonderwall'

6. Lonely The Brave // Things Will Matter

An example of a brilliant second album; dark, mysterious and everything you could have wanted from this band on the rise. FULL REVIEW

5. Heart Of Oak // EP | One

Delicate, thoughtful and brilliant, this unknown Southampton artist has unwittingly produced one of our favourite albums of the year so far. FULL REVIEW

4. Radiohead // A Moon Shaped Pool

Pure genius, a polished yet experimental Radiohead came out to play and they produced one of the albums of the year.

3. Spring King // Tell Me If You Like To

A debut to remember for this indie-punk band. With tunes like 'Rectifier' and 'Demons' as well as an allround brilliant album, this could propel them up the musical ladder at an alarming rate.

2. Modern Baseball // Holy Ghost

The Philadelphia band return for a 3rd time with an honest and open album. Personal and musically brilliant - a lethal combination for any band. FULL REVIEW

1. Frightened Rabbit // Paintng Of A Panic Attack

The Scottish bands 5th LP takes them to new heights. A reinvigorated and slightly different band comes out in this LP and yet the brings the greatest hits of previous albums. FULL REVIEW

Reading & Leeds 2016: Who We Hope To See

So today the next part of the Reading & Leeds line-up was announced with the likes of Foals, Disclosure, Nothing But Thieves and Two Door Cinema Club announced. But who else is going to be announced? We have no idea but here's who we want to be announced!

Frightened Rabbit
Okay this ones a bit on me. One of my favourite bands of all time, releasing their 5th album this year would them to be booked (hint hint festival organisers)

Frank Turner
If Frank showed up this year it would be his 10th year in a row and after headlining the Festival Republic stage last year we can only hope he goes further up the order again this year!

The Milk
Another one I'm being slightly optimistic for, but after their stunning album received huge critical acclaim last year making it as one of BBC 6 Musics albums of the year, who would blame the Festval organisers for booking them!

The Last Shadow Puppets
With a new album due in April and their new single 'Bad Habits' reviving memories of their epic 2007 debut hopefully Miles and Alex will make an appearance at this years festival.

Fat White Family
Another band with a new album due and going on tour in March could they be bringing their roudy set to R&L

Modern Baseball
After being announced last year but unable to play due to illness and with a new album on the horizon, they;ll hopefully be able to make it this year!

Wolf Alice
After storming 2015, it seems the next logical step is for Wolf Alice to be bumped up the order a bit at R&L. With huge UK, EU and US tours coming up we can only hope they end their summer ar Reading & Leeds.

Tame Impala
The huge success of the album Currents as propelled Tame Impala far up the musical pecking order and hopefully into the forefront of festival organisers minds.

Jack Garratt
After winning BBC's Sound Of 2016, it does look like 2016 could be Jack Garratt's year. I saw him perform at last years festival and he was stunning and with his album 'Phase' due in February, hopefully he'll make an appearance at R&L again this year.

Catfish & The Bottlemen
After a stunning, tent filling performance in 2015, Catfish look set for a bigger slot this year, especially with a new album rumoured to be on the horizon, we can't wait.

Bloc Party
Headlining the NME awards tour in 2016, Bloc Party look dead set to play the NME stage at R&L/