Sunday 31 January 2010

Codeine Velvet Club – Album

Reviewed by Chris Render

After reviewing single Vanity Kills, I was uncertain what to make of Codeine Velvet Club (perhaps best known as the side project of Fratellis front-man Jon Lawler), save that I liked them. Having now heard their full self-titled debut album, I can happily say that the future for Codeine Velvet Club is a bright one.

Codeine Velvet Club is exactly what Vanity Kills had led me to expect, which is to say catchy and unforgettable. This indie-pop-electro (for lack of a better phrase) masterpiece is coherent and well-paced, ensuring for anyone in doubt that Lawler could easily make a successful career for himself outside of The Fratellis. Both Lawler and collaborator Lou Hickey display energetic vocals and skilful guitar work, making Codeine Velvet Club a fantastic debut album

Although, as with most albums, some tracks do fall a bit short (Begging Bowl Blues and Nevada left me somewhat cold), album highlights such as opener Hollywood, Little Sister and single release Vanity Kills show that Codeine Velvet Club are one worth watching. While maybe not to everyone’s taste, and indeed met with mixed reviews, Codeine Velvet Club struck me as a fantastic debut album for a band not to be missed.

4/5

B

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