goFASTER>> - A Modern Education [EP]

Alcopop Records

May 30, 2009, 02:03 PM

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There are hundreds of current bands I could compare Go Faster to as their brand of chirpy indie rock has been very much in vogue for at least the last 5 years. The guitars clang like The Wombats, the deadpan lyrics rail against modern Britain like an early Blur and everything is complimented by a knowing wink and sparsely implemented, sparkly keyboard lines that are very Maximo Park (probably the closest comparison I can draw actually). However that's not to say Go Faster are entirely without an individual voice, the songs all seem to have a staccato rhythm to them and a higher stake placed on rhythm than melody which makes it ideal indie dance music. Make no mistake, every song on here would sound right at home down your local indie disco (or on Hollyoaks which they even go as far as to name-check in "Good Times").

The title track opens proceedings with a circular guitar motif and light, engaging beats. The rhythm section here is tight and focused and the guitar lines (while admittedly rather dull) do compliment the rhythm well. The vocals however lack charisma and the less said about the keyboard the better, it's a catchy little song in it's own way and the lyrics seem to speak of modern alienation with some conviction ("We're scared of the headlines"), but the spark never catches fire. 'Magazine Addiction' is more of the same and might as well be the same song with the same jerky rhythms and dentist drill keyboards. There is a dual lead guitar line in the chorus that brings a new dynamic to the song but it's buried in the mix beneath that bloody keyboard (I lament that keyboard). The last 90 seconds really elevate this song though as it swells in a semi post-rock fashion towards the climactic final chorus, I would have loved to have seen more of this from the band and a little less of the semi-ironic cheeky chappiness.

'Good Times' is next with a stop-start dynamic and some interesting guitar work, the chorus here is the records strongest with a heavily reverberated guitar line backing up a pleasing melody (a trick used in almost every Editors and Interpol song) but the vocals are just not tuneful enough to carry the melody convincingly, it sounds like he's just not trying. 'You Better Watch Out' fares a little better vocally where the band manage to reference both Marks & Spencers and AK47's [which is possibly a first] overlooking that though the song pretty much carries the torch through more jerky guitars, awful keyboards and vibrant rhythms. It's a formula the band don't look to be mixing up this late in the game and indeed the final track 'When The Last Note Sounds' (ponderous title aside) does little to dispel that notion. The chorus here saves it though with the suggestion of a more ambitious sound which the band first reached for at the end of 'Magazine Addiction' and they repeat that songs trick here with a bridge section that builds into an emotional and (comparatively) overblown final denouncement.

It might sound as if I don't like this record much, but the truth is after a few listens it started to grow on me. It's repetitive and derivative yes, but it's wonderfully produced, sharp and energetic and seeing as it's such a sunny day today it's really suited my mood (in fact the guys can probably attribute in part the relatively high score to the beautiful weather). Go Faster don't produce big or clever music (and the repetition would prove daunting for a full length album) but they produce music with heart and in this increasingly cynical musical landscape, surely there is something to be said for that.

Tracks:
1. A Modern Education
2. Magazine Addiction
3. Good Times
4. You better Watch Out
5. When The Last Note Sounds

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