Dublin’s Fangclub have been making a name for themselves recently, being covered by the mainstream rock press, played on Radio 1, and soon, supporting chart-botherers Twin Atlantic for the Ireland/UK leg of their European tour, which includes three nights in Glasgow’s Barrowlands. This tour leg commences just under a month after the release of their sophomore EP, Coma Happy.
Soundwise, Fangclub seem like a solid choice to support the Twin Atlantic, despite sounding fairly different to them. They’re a rock group informed by a tuneful pop sensibility, and have that much in common with the Glasgow band, but they have different influences, and a different mode of execution.
Fangclub favour a dirty, grunge-influenced guitar tone that’s audible throughout Coma Happy, and pair this with an upbeat, solid, hook-heavy songwriting style.
The first two tracks, Dreamcatcher and Follow are straight-ahead, riff-lead rockers, designed to get a crowd moving. It’s nothing we haven’t heard before, especially as grunge revival bands are ten-a-penny these days, but the songs are well-written and danceable, which is the key when one wants to put together a simple yet enjoyable rock song.
Fangclub do attempt to change this established dynamic a bit with the other two tracks on Coma Happy, even if it is in a small way. Inside Joke is built around a heavier riff than the first two tracks, and features more minimalistic instrumentation in its verses; while the closer and title track is a slower, droning, almost noisy number. Neither are as irresistibly fun as the first two tracks, but they give the EP a depth that straight-up pop songs couldn’t, and show the band is willing to experiment.
Overall, Coma Happy isn’t going to change the face of music, or challenge the listener particularly – it’s not even that original. But it’s an enjoyable listen and worth a go for fans of upbeat, hook-laden rock music.
7/10
Standout Track: Dreamcatcher
For Fans Of: Dinosaur Pile-Up, Queens of the Stone Age
Written by: Alan Cunningham
