The Others - The Others

Fairly average

Having heard 'William' and really liking it - I decided to buy the album. The reviews from NME etc would imply it 'can change your life' 'Britains most worshipped band' but I found that it was fairly average. Not sure if it sounds like the Libertines but it reminded me of a poor mans Kings of Leon. Its not mince but certainly NOT life changing - bit over-hyped perhaps??

Transcending the rules to create something extraordinary...

Ah yes - The Libertines... Undeniably great pop songs, delivered with an attitude & refreshingly raw energy not heard in these shores for some time. In a year that The Strokes set a new benchmark for everyone else to follow with their class debut here was a UK band that had the songs and the delivery to match them.

It's inevitable, of course, that when a great new band comes along the music press seizes on a clutch of other 'similar' bands and in doing so create a new 'scene'. Fair play. Long before The Others' LP was released I'd read about how these rum looking punters were the best of the contenders. By the time the album came out I'd only heard 'Lackey' - and although it didn't blow me away I was still interested enough to want to hear more from them. When the reviews for the album in the likes of NME & Vice magazine were SO full of praise I thought my ten quid would be a good investment. How wrong I was.

Everything I'd heard about this band told me I should like them... but I don't. The sorry truth is they just dont have the songs. There's maybe 3 on here that are worthy of your immediate attention (the singles, natch) and 9 not very good at all fillers. The impressive quotes on the cover sticker claiming they are by turns; "Britains most worshipped new band", "Transcending the rules to create something extraordinary" & "music that inspires you and can change your life" are, frankly, laughable. The Others are a pub band and not a very good one at that. P**s Poor!

Not for everyone, but give them a go.

The first time I heard this CD, I admit, I thought it was awful. But determined to give them a go, I listened again and then a third time. By then I nearly loved it.

Dominic doesn't have a good voice, make no mistake about that. But if you look past that and the fact that it is all a bit rough around the edges, then, once you've accepted it for what it is - and that it's not about being nice to listen to - you might just start to appreciate it.

How anyone can critisise lyrics like: "Then you helped me out - you gave me a break, a break from the boredom. I quit my job,
I took a gamble, a gamble on a new life.", "You need some way to be free that's not just a dream." and "I never wanted to lose you in the way that I did. I didn't know myself, and I kept it well hid." is completely beyond me. This is music with feeling that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The Others aren't for everyone, but if you give them a chance, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Divide and Rule?

A band who (obviously) truly do divide people's opinions right down the middle! The Others - you either love them or hate them - there are no inbetweens. I remember when people were a lot more tribal about bands than they are now - your favourite band was like a uniform and a country and you defended it to the hilt. How nice that a band has finally come along which engender's this level of debate!

Sure, the singer's not a great singer but nor was John Lydon or Mark E Smith or any interesting vocalist with any band ever - sure the guitar is basic but it's perfect and sounds like nithing else (perhaps a brief nod to new order and pil) and obviously the bass is an incredible driving force for the whole album.

This band are special. Buy the album, listen to it with an open mind and cherish them. The haters will be silenced and the band will divide and conquer.

Heard it all before but still EXCELLENT

I'd never heard of this band. I happened upon the CD in my local HMV and listened to the first few tracks on the head phones. Yes, the singer sounds like Iggy Pop. Yes, the lyrics are a bit damp! So, what! You can't help but stamp your foot and sing along to the songs. The hilarious Darren, Daniel, Dave! (It was meant to be funny, wasn't it!?)

Don't listen to the comments about this, buy it and make your own mind up