Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

**mark191082** · 06:55 PM

'Where Did It All Go Wrong?' are the immortal words of Noel Gallagher. In his case it was too much powdered substances (baking flour, castor sugar, general cake ingredients). For Razorlight it's easy to see where it all went; I say easy, but it's hard to see up Johnny Borrell's arse when his head is firmly planted there!

I remember the days when I didn't mind a slice of Razorlight with my tea. I'm thinking back in 2004 when they made some decent tunes like 'Rock N' Roll Lies' and 'Golden Touch'. Since then, the ego has taken over and the band has faded into the background and with that the tunes have run away screaming. It's a shame really. I thought they held some promise but Borrell cocked it all up by wanting to emulate Pete Doherty (God forbid!) and grab some headlines whilst in the process turning himself into a grade-A monkey-nutsack, well Johnny you made it congrats.

I guess i should discuss this album 'Slipway Fires' instead of deriding the band? OK, here we go. What does album #3 hold in store for you? Well, the initial impression is that the album sounds very sparse. You'd fail to recognize that there are 4 people making this record as a lot of the time there is nothing to be heard but Borrell and a piano. Musically this record is mediocre at best. The playing has become mundane and bog-standard so maybe it's a blessing that there isn't too much of it on here?!?

Lead single 'Wire To Wire' begins proceedings. It is an all piano-driven power ballad that is vaguely intriguing but after a few listens just makes you lose interest. This could have been so much better but fails to get a pass mark, yet this was chosen to signal the return of the mighty Razorlight. Oh the shame.

There is way too much filler on this record and very little substance. For filler we get '60 Thompson' another Borrell meander, 'Stinger' to which i nearly nodded off until a little drumming appears as a distraction. 'Blood For Wild Blood' [what is it with piano ballads?], and 'The House' [damn piano ballads!!!].

As for the substance portion of the album, if you pick through the wreckage there are a few reasonably decent tunes to be found. I do stress the word reasonably. 'Hostage Of Love' eventually sounds OK after it's drip-drab beginning. 'Tabloid Lover' and 'North London Trash' are worth listening to if only to laugh at the ridiculous lyrics. 'Monster Boots' gets pass marks for me as it's the most frenetic thing here by a long stretch. What a shame it's second from last as by then the album is likely to have been turned off.

'Slipway Fires' is actually kind of what I expected from Razorlight though. It would have been good to have been proved wrong but it's obviously not meant to be. This is a huge disappointment and I think it shows a complete lack of ambition by the band who seem to be stuck in their comfort zone.

It's easy to blame Borrell for this but.... actually nah let's just blame him.

Leave a Comment | Kudos

altsounds · Comment Posted on: November 2, 2008, 06:47 PM

This band should just change their name to Razorshite. It would be so much more appropriate! Muwahahaha

mark191082 · Comment Posted on: November 2, 2008, 07:12 PM

yeah it's got to the point now where that joke is just to easy to make, it's like taking sweets from a child - very easy to do - but so wrong - except if you really like sweets, then i would find it acceptable to rob from a child.

jack s · Comment Posted on: November 3, 2008, 12:55 PM

Golden Touch was a great song, it seems to be the format for most bands in the past few years, the first release is intense then they go downhill. Arctic Monkeys for instance, 'I bet you look good on the dance-floor' was a great track, but it was just overplayed and then they released a load of bum fluff.

altsounds · Comment Posted on: November 3, 2008, 03:49 PM

Why does he always feel the need to show me his chest? That really bothers me in fact. Even on the album cover.

jack s · Comment Posted on: November 3, 2008, 03:51 PM

He likes to seduce men like you Chris, it's the beard that turns him on.

mark191082 · Comment Posted on: November 3, 2008, 03:58 PM

So now we are attacking Borrell's sexuality as well as his all round arse-ness, well i guess it's the next logical step.

altsounds · Comment Posted on: November 7, 2008, 12:47 PM

Well done on this review Mark. It got covered in the Independent's round up of the album:
The Word On...Razorlight - the new album - Features, Music - The Independent

"'Slipway Fires' is kind of what I would have expected from Razorlight, though it would have been good to have been proved wrong. This is a huge disappointment and I think it shows a complete lack of ambition by the band, who seem to be in a comfort zone. It's easy to blame Borrell for this but... Actually, nah, let's just blame him." - http://hangout.altsounds.com

mark191082 · Comment Posted on: November 7, 2008, 01:02 PM

Sweet, i like being in the papers it caters to my ego.

emilys86 · Comment Posted on: November 7, 2008, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by mark191082

So now we are attacking Borrell's sexuality as well as his all round arse-ness, well i guess it's the next logical step.

futher to this... why has he decided to start wearing ladies jewellery??? (see the mindblowing video for Wire to Wire...pearls and one dangly earring, elton john stylee)

tw*t

Review Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Item
Rate This Item:


MUSIC & MORE: Music Artists Full Album Streams Radio Stations Charts Artist / Listener Blogs Games Arcade Browse Press Users Browse Listeners	PROFILE SIGNUP: Reader Artist Listener PROFILE LOGIN: Reader Artist Listener	PRESS: News Reviews Features Gear Altsounds TV Giveaways Community The Staffroom Site Editors	BLAND INFO: Help / FAQ About Us The Team Contact Us Promote Us Advertise Here Legal Stuff

Users Viewing This Review: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

> Home > Reviews | Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Mercury Records

November 1, 2008, 11:39 AM

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#1 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

37%

""I will come at you like an angry badger""

"Check out the new look site and the studio arm of Altsounds.com!"

Razorshite

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#2 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

""I will come at you like an angry badger""

Re: Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#3 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Re: Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#4 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

"Check out the new look site and the studio arm of Altsounds.com!"

Re: Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#5 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Re: Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#6 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

""I will come at you like an angry badger""

Re: Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#7 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

"Check out the new look site and the studio arm of Altsounds.com!"

Re: Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#8 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

""I will come at you like an angry badger""

Re: Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#9 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Re: Razorlight - Slipway Fires (Album)

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#10 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report