The Feeling - Join With Us
Flashes of greatness, representing The Feeling's obvious sense of fun, stifled by intentional groan-inducing moments.
This second album from the divisive band will not change anyone's opinions, and you get the impression The Feeling really don't care. There is really no point preaching to the haters in this review - if you are one, then 'Join With Us' will make you retch. So what will those who willingly admit to liking The Feeling get from this?
Well, things look promising with opening track and lead single 'I Thought It Was Over'. At last! The Feeling are fully embracing pop music in all its glory and channeling Pet Shop Boys at their most disco. Utterly fabulous in its ludicrous pomp, the song gives the band's innate ability for writing a tune the extravagant vehicle it deserves. Alas, that's the only disco moment to be found on the twelve track CD. From then on, it's more of 'Twelve Stops And Home', which is all very pleasant, but you long for that fleeting lack of MOR that the opening teased you with.
So, business as usual with 'Without You', all sweetness and tenderness - a proper lighter-swaying moment. Until you realise that Dan Gillespie-Sells is referring to the Virginia Tech massacre throughout. A subtle lyricist he is not, so his 'there but for the grace of God go I' sentiment is a tad clumsy. I guess such a tragedy would make you think of those you love miles away, but unless Gillespie-Sells was hanging out in a university that day, he was probably over-reacting slightly. Bloody lovely tune though, so just ignore what he's singing about.
Title track 'Join With Us' is one of the highlights, one of those fabulous numbers with several choruses a la 'Red Dress'. A rousing feel-good track, which reeks of the band's MOR influences, but you love nonetheless. Other stand-out tracks include 'Turn It Up' and 'Don't Make Me Sad'. However, even the greatest defender could not listen to the insufferable 'Connor' without wanting to hack their ears off.
'Join With Us' is ultimately frustrating. Flashes of greatness, representing The Feeling's obvious sense of fun, stifled by intentional groan-inducing moments. They're proud of it - they don't give a monkeys about being fashionable, and plough their own furrow on their ownsome, irrespective of what everyone thinks. For that, you have to respect them.
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