I wrote a review of sorts.
The Temper Trap - Conditions
The Temper Trap, a local Melbourne band, released their first album on Friday; "Conditions". They have been likened to Radiohead and TV on the Radio, and have described themselves as "High Energy Sissy Rock", which both describes them well yet doesn't do them justice.
I've been a fan of theirs for a while since seeing them as the support act for Franz Ferdinand in January at the Palace, and being the first support act I've seen where I've been genuinely dissapointed to see them leave the stage, despite never having heard of them previously.
I've since seen them another time at the Corner Hotel, and can safely say they are fantastic live. Here is a run down of their debut album.
Love Lost: A song that builds up well (their speciality). I'm not sure it should be the opening track though. It's a good song though, and the bar of silence just prior to the bridge/last chorus sounds great, especially live.
Rest: This song isn't that great on the album, but live is a really high energy song that they opened with both times I saw them. Live they tend to play around with the main riff alot before the vocals even come in, while in this version it centres around the vocals.
Sweet Disposition: Their first single, you may have heard it on Triple J or some of the commercial stations (Nova, Fox maybe). I'm not sure if Triple M have caught on yet. It has a U2ish riff, and shows off Doug's great voice. Another one that builds up well.
Down River: One of my favourites on the album. Has a great chorus, and sounds great live.
Soldier On: Is a real slow builder, with the first 2/3rds of this song being pretty low key. The ending kicks up a bit, and is good without being great. One of the weaker songs on the album for mine, which is saying something cause its pretty good.
Fader: Probably the most obviously commercial song on the album, and their third single. Catchy chorus, but for me it's almost a bit boring. It's not really a song that builds up or gets better the more you listen to it. I can see it being popular though. Probably my second least favourite.
Fools: My least favourite song on the album, but it is growing on me. A bit quieter than a lot of the other songs on the album.
Resurrection: For me this is the best song on the album. Sounds pretty unique, his voice sounds great, and really builds up to a fantastic finish. I love everything about this song, and with its ending it definitely qualifies as a song that is a highlight live.
Science of Fear: Their second single, has great lyrics, builds up well and has a great pace. Fantastic live, and is only just behind Ressurection as the albums best song.
Drum Song: Rather unimaginatively named, this is an instrumental song that is awesome live, but only solid on the album.
The album got 5 stars in the Herald Sun two sundays ago, and there are big wraps on this band with the BBC putting them in their top 15 bands of 2009, and them having relocated to England for the Australian winter so they can tour Europe constantly.
They're a band that really out performs their album live, and in my opinion could become pretty big. A highly recommend this album.