Drive-By Argument - Drive-By Argument

by Lisa Holmes

They are no drive-by abusers

"This is a good if not highly original album, packed with what is described by the band as ‘four to the floor unhappy hardcore’."

You get a free laxative with this album, something to do with it being good enough to make you shit your pants apparently. Surely it is best to let the music - rather than various parts of your anatomy - do the talking?

Hailing from Ayrshire, as part of a random university exercise with a mission to write a song each, their beginnings could not have been more premeditated. But they got on so well that they all dropped out of university to pursue the band full time. Their big break came when label Lizard King (The Killers) sent them to support their first cousins (musically speaking) Panic At The Disco in 2006.

This is a good if not particularly original album, packed with what is described by the band as "four to the floor unhappy hardcore". Veering from melodrama ('How The Trees Sleep') to punky electronic party music like first track ‘The Sega Method’, there's never a dull moment. It calls to mind bands like Lostprophets, but the fact that the electronic sections don’t sound forced or like a token effort helps to ensure that the energy doesn’t diminish as the album rolls onwards.

The number of genius pop hooks on this album are a dead cert to wear down even the hardest of hearts. ‘Dance Like No One’s Watching’ is a blunt mallet to bludgeon any unbelievers' brains out. DBA are a classic example of taking an existing style and bending it (wrenching it if necessary) to fit their own needs. Synth heavy indie is clearly the music of choice for these boys, it will be interesting to see whether their next album will tread the same fine line. Tightrope walking is a skilful profession; we should salute those with the bravery to risk the fall.

Be the first to comment on this article