We Are Scientists – ‘With Love and Squalor’

Posted on 29th Oct 05 by Contributor | 0

Artist: We Are Scientists
Author: Aoife Barry

Everything about We Are Scientists is quirky " from their off"the"wall website to their bizarre"but"cute album cover where they each clutch a kitten" they exhibit a sort of well"intentioned kookiness that gives their exuberant blend of upbeat rock a rather unique edge. Although they have self"released a small number of eps since 2000" With Love and Squalor is their debut album" and follows two recent singles" "Nobody Move" Nobody Get Hurt"" and "The Great Escape".

The former is the album opener" a gloriously exhilarating slice of emo"tinged up"tempo rock that sets the tone for the rest of the album" whilst the latter"s video is one of the best I"ve seen in a long time" and features the band members involved in a curiously non"sexual m"nage a trois " if such a thing is possible. We Are Scientists are lucky in that their album"s release comes at a time when jerky anthemic guitar rock " la Franz Ferdinand is de rigeur. However" to me they feel like Franz"s underground younger brother" less likely to top the charts than be bought by those who think Franz Ferdinand are just a little too "pop" to be considered cool.

Admittedly" being somewhat of a music snob myself "hey" admitting it is the first step""" I was drawn to We Are Scientists precisely because they weren"t constantly touted alongside Razorlight/Libertines/etc in the UK press" but I do fear that as the single "and aforementioned fantastic video for" The Great Escape gathers momentum" it won"t be long before We Are Scientists are taking their place alongside former tour mates The Editors and appearing regularly in the NME.

Musically" the album stays with the same" energetic feel for most of its 37 minutes" with only a few slow"ish moments" which can at times lead the listener to wonder if they"re listening to the same track they were 7 minutes ago. When We Are Scientists are good" they"re very good" "indeed" The Great Escape has to be one of the singles of the year" but when they"re bad" they"re just a little samey. However" whilst this isn"t going to be considered one of the best debut albums of all time" it may well be up there in a few magazines "Best of 2005" lists at the end of this year. Most of the tracks cover the subjects of partying" relationships" and social ostracisation" reflecting the band"s youthfulness and American nationality" which blends seamlessly with their fun" purposefully erratic sound and inspired harmonies" as well as their enduringly bizarre sense of humour.

If you"re looking for an album that will provide you with an uplifting boost during the long winter" than look no farther than With Love and Squalor " and while you"re at it" visit their website at www.wearescientists.com and weep at their fantastically wacky sense of humour.