CD: The Klaxons, Myths of the Near Future

(Rinse/Polydor)

Just in time for the release of their debut album, the Klaxons have distanced themselves from the term "new rave". It's just as well, for there's almost nothing on Myths of the Near Future that would suggest more than a passing familiarity with old rave. There are a few electronic sounds, less integrated into the music than taped on to it, and a heavy-handed cover of Grace's classic Not Over Yet, which drains it of its original blissful ecstasy.

For the most part, though, the album is a mess of clumsy beats that never settle into a groove, lurching shout-along chants more suited to the football stadium than the dancefloor and unpleasant-sounding, overdriven bass. The songs descend the same chords repeatedly and ponderously, as if the band were falling down the same flight of stairs over and over again.

Most unforgivably, there's the appalling production, with its curious emphasis on nasty, screaming treble. Stellar remixes from Simian Mobile Disco and Erol Alkan have shown that the Klaxons' music is redeemable - by removing all trace of the original. But, given the current creative fertility of house and techno music, indie chancers trying to pass this ropey stuff off as a dance revival is insulting and pointless.

Contributor

Alex Macpherson

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
CD: The Klaxons, Myths of the Near Future

1 star (Rinse/Polydor)

Alex Macpherson

26, Jan, 2007 @12:07 AM

CD: Klaxons, Myths of the Near Future

Simon Reynolds is intrigued by the boldly uncool nu ravers who aren't afraid of grandeur or melodrama - or Greek quests.

Simon Reynolds

21, Jan, 2007 @12:19 AM

Article image
Klaxons: Surfing the Void | CD review

Klaxons have got over difficult second album syndrome by hitting the hallucinogens and tuning into cosmic harmonies. So why does the new record sound so ugly, asks Dorian Lynskey

Dorian Lynskey

19, Aug, 2010 @2:29 PM

John Harris on British bands attempts to 'invade' America

John Harris on British bands attempts to 'invade' America

John Harris

11, Oct, 2007 @11:06 PM

Article image
Klaxons | Pop review
Village Underground, London

Caroline Sullivan

30, Jul, 2010 @8:46 PM

Article image
When bands fall off cliffs

You sell a couple million albums. You're adored. Then 90% of your fanbase deserts you – and your record label isn't far behind. Rob Fitzpatrick investigates band collapse syndrome

Rob Fitzpatrick

27, Oct, 2011 @9:09 PM

Article image
Musicians, writers and their obsessions
They're not the best songs. They might not even be good ones. But they become the tracks we play again and again. Here, musicians and writers share their obsessions

Interviews by Dorian Lynskey, Dave Simpson and Jude Rogers

09, Dec, 2010 @9:46 PM

Article image
Klaxons | Pop review

The Mercury prizewinners are back with a slick live show and second album, Surfing the Void. But it feels like we've heard it before, says Gareth Grundy

Gareth Grundy

31, Jul, 2010 @11:06 PM

Klaxons, Plug, Sheffield

Plug, Sheffield

Dave Simpson

03, Oct, 2006 @1:19 PM

Article image
Klaxons

They are the darlings of the music press and their raucous live shows have caused teenagers to accidentally poke their own eyes out with glow sticks, but what will the Klaxons make of Depeche Mode and the Horrors?

03, Nov, 2006 @4:56 PM