Review by Paul Monkhouse for MPM
The boyos from Bridgend are back and seem utterly unstoppable now, their relentless rise to the very top one of the most heartening stories in rock.
The finest and loudest band to emerge from Wales since Budgie, Those Damn Crows continue the avian theme and prove that they have the musical muscle and songwriting class to be future stadium fillers, the quintet already having headlined some major sized events themselves.
Through hard work and determination, they’ve certainly built up a reputation but ‘God Shaped Hole’ is an even bigger leap forward and sets them apart from the rest of the pack.
With ten, taught, tracks this latest opus shows a maturity that focuses on melody above all, its giant hooks and huge sound leaving no prisoners. Whilst still undoubtedly true to their roots, it can’t be denied that there’s a huge crossover appeal here that should win hearts and minds on both sides of the Atlantic. Everything sounds just a little sharper and the widescreen sound they’ve achieved should be of global appeal.
This isn’t to say they’ve sold out in any way and taken a more commercial route, far from it in fact, it’s just that album number four sees the band truly growing into their skins, the dirt under their fingernails still as present as ever.
Opener ‘Dancing with the Enemy’ is massive, the titanic hook and Shane Greenhall’s distinctive vocals propelling everything forward in a rush that will lift you off your feet, the whole impossible not to smile at. This upbeat mood is something that really defines the album, numbers like the driving ‘Glass Heart’ and a summery ‘Dreaming’ instantly spreading sonic warmth but this is no dumb-fun album, the depth of the lyrics and passionate delivery actually standing for something that will last.
The band certainly realise the importance of this release and its part in their legacy to both themselves and their fans, the whole an achievement to be proud of. Whilst there’s certainly a lot of care and attention that’s been put into ‘God Shaped Hole’, the whole doesn’t have the air of a tortured and painstaking process but one that sees the quintet’s chemistry displayed in full flight as they push themselves further than ever before.
Elements are added and the piano and strings sparingly used during ‘Fake’ shimmer but never overwhelm, more strings used in closing acoustic ballad ‘Still’ giving hope for a Crows unplugged album one day. It’s not all just subtlety though as rampaging monster ‘Let’s Go Psycho!’ and ‘Turn It Around’ punch as hard, fast and massively as the heaviest numbers in Nickelback and Alter Bridge’s armoury, the fret work of Ian ‘Shiner’ Thomas and David Winchurch kicking up serious dust.
Big nods must go to rhythm section Lloyd Wood and Ronnie Huxford too, their locomotive drive and deft precision bring real light and shade to numbers like ‘No Surrender’ and ‘Spit & Choke’. A huge achievement, ‘God Shaped Hole’ is a benchmark for all other albums this year to match up to and sees Those Damn Crows on the cusp of international stardom.
Modern day heroes, this is their emphatic declaration of intent and a rallying call for all those who still wear their denim and leather with pride. Absolutely thrilling.
Pre-order God Shaped Hole here.
