Editors – An End Has A Start

Band Members
Tom Smith - Vocals, Guitar
Chris Urbanowicz - Guitar
Russell Leetch - Bass
Ed Lay - Drums

EditorsOfficial.com
Myspace.com/Editorsmusic



Following their critically acclaimed debut album The Back Room, Editors were going to have to work hard to build on their success, which included a top ten single, #2 album, and a Mercury Music Prize nomination. The Back Room was full of good tunes and singles like Blood, Munich and Bullets were mind-blowingly good live.

The decision to get Jacknife Lee (Bloc Party, U2, Green Day, Snow Patrol) to produce the album was in keeping with their new “more ambitious” approach, but made me apprehensive about how the album would sound. Bloc Party’s latest album A Weekend In The City was also produced by Lee, and although they also built on their success from a raw-sounding debut album, Jacknife Lee does have a habit of making everyone sound like Snow Patrol. His music is comfortable for the mainstream, and somewhat plastic-sounding. However, I digress, because Jacknife Lee can certainly do “epic”, and ambitious Editors have certainly gone more “epic” here.

Opening track and single, which will be released a week before the album, Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors begins quietly and thoughtfully, before opening up into an almost trademark-Editors guitar part, high-pitched and expansive, which gives an amazing feeling of space as Tom Smith sings “now run as fast as you can / through this field of trees”. This track is a worthy opener, and a worthy single, with a chorus that really hits you, in the heart.

“Someone turn me around. Can I start this again?”

The title track, An End Has A Start is a slice of genius which will no doubt be a future single, or at least a live favourite. Equally expansive as the opener, it’s pure Editors and, as always from Tom Smith, the vocals are breath-taking and the lyrics are inspiring.

The album is only ten tracks long, but you don’t have to look too far for the next highlight. Bones was previewed live well before the album was even being considered, written just after the completion of The Back Room. Equally good on record as it is ringing through Manchester Academy 1, Bones is addictive, and has yet more beautiful lyrics.

Unfortunately, this album must be criticised for a lack of stand-out tracks, and too many lengthy ones. The album does, however, have much to offer that’s similar to the likes of Camera and Fall off their debut album. These open, sweeping tracks might not grab you in the same way as a single like Munich, but are interesting in a different way. The Racing Rats is good, and Escape The Nest adds a more energetic track to the mix.

Overall, An End Has A Start is a good follow-up album, but isn’t nearly equal to its predecessor. I always find debut albums to be the most exciting, and often the best, but this album offers a lot to new Editors fans and long-time fanatics alike, but not enough to be worthy of the acclaim that they received for their first studio album. Not disappointing, but not enthralling either.

6/10


Review by Rory Walker


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