by Mikey (Gillingham, Kent. UK) - Each week I preview an album which I think deserves a listen to and if it's worth to buy, I will cater for all tastes of music from R'n'B to Rock, Hip hop and Pop.
Speedway - Save Yourself
Release Date: 23 February 2004
Speedway are a band from Scotland, made up of four members, led by a lady singer named Jill. Oh yeah, and they love U2. The official website protests that Speedway "bonded over a mutual affection" for the Irish craftsmen. So just how much does U2 influence Speedway's music? Well...
The buzz surrounding Scottish pop-rockers, Speedway, would seem to be borne out of the band's amazing path to success. According to reports, they got their act together after hearing a bootleg of The Strokes' 'Hard to Explain' crossed with Christina Aguilera's 'Genie in a Bottle' (which is great fun), which they promptly decided to record themselves. The single made the top ten and Speedway were hailed as an exciting new prospect; a tag which became stronger following the success of the follow-up single, 'Can't Turn Back', which went in at number 12, and which seemed to hint at a grittier sort of pop-rock to Texas.
Now comes the album and, perhaps, the band's biggest test yet. And it is something of a hit-and-miss affair. While there's no doubting the quality of the singles, thus far, the initial feeling is one of disappointment once you come to the end of the long-player. The mix or rock and alternative-influenced pop would seem to be an enticing one, particularly given the quality of the guitars, and the gutsy vocals of Jill Jackson throughout, but there is something missing; a spark, perhaps, to make it especially distinctive.
As a result, Speedway provoke comparisons with everyone from Texas to Blondie, without really coming up with much that is too much their own. Is it, therefore, a coincidence that their biggest hit so far is essentially a cover version; albeit a cheeky one?
The album is, however, a consistently lively affair, buoyed by some accomplished production values and some genuinely good guitar, especially during opening track, 'Juggernaut', and 'All That Matters'. 'Please' is another strong effort, even though it could easily pass, as a Kosheen record, while title track, 'Save Yourself', is a better example of the album at its catchiest.
But too much of the album sounds overly familiar, and seldom rises above the norm. Tracks seem to merge too easily, so that it fades into the background, and from the memory, too fast. This is particularly evident during 'Seven Nights', 'In & Out', which drift towards the pop/rock territory more usually reserved for someone like Natalie Imbruglia. It's listenable, but it doesn't really float your boat. The only other song deserved of mention is 'Overdrive', which has the same punch of Juggernaut, albeit with the hint that Speedway have been reading How To Write A Pop Song For Dummies. Weirdly, it sounds like a pop version of Today by the mighty Smashing Pumpkins.
Perhaps it is this desire to pander to the mainstream, and to stay the right side of pop, which hinders the album's progress - but Speedway bear all the hallmarks of a band who may be holding something in reserve; a desire to rock out repressed by the knowledge that success may not be quite so guaranteed.
Ever the optimist, though, this could yet turn out to be the start of something promising, even though the niggling doubts remain. It's accomplished, occasionally catchy, but ultimately a little too routine.
There are, however, significant negative points to this album. "Rock" band Speedway seems more concerned about sounding like a pop band, perhaps in order to cheat their way to chart success. Nearly all of the songs sound the same, each with that trademark pop structure, and tamed guitars. The big choruses save the dull verses somewhat, but there's only a certain amount of lifebelts that can be thrown before you have to question why they jumped in the sea in the first place.
Jill Jackson's voice is persistently beautiful and lends a great deal to what would otherwise be very simple pop songs. However, most of Jackson's lyrics are packed with cliches of love, or lack thereof, and quickly grow boring.
A fair debut then - it's basically harmless pop, it's not hurting anyone, but this could simultaneously be Speedway's biggest problem. It seems they have tailored their debut to appeal to the largest audience by taming it and making it "pop". Ironically, the best moments of this album are when Speedway frees the guitars from their guarded cages, throw the tacky drum machine to the wolves, and try to sound like a proper band.
6/10
Tracklisting
1. Juggernaut
2. In & Out
3. Can't Turn Back
4. Overdrive
5. Talk To Me
6. Please
7. Seven Nights
8. Thinking About You Lately
9. Save Yourself
10. Walk On By
11. Last Surprise
12. All That Matters
13. Always Here
14. Genie In A Bottle
