Third album rocks in
If you’re still convinced that McFly are ‘just another boy band’ then you obviously haven’t been listening. How many boybands tackle alcoholism (Wonderland’s ‘The Ballad Of Paul K’) and suicide from the victim’s perspective (Wonderland’s ‘She Falls Asleep’) wrapped up in an orchestral sheen?
Now with their third album ‘Motion In The Ocean’ (a reference to f-cking Lindsay Lohan, the boys are all grown up…), McFly are back with another collection of Beach Boys inspired pop but now with added pomp and rock overtones. There are shades of The Who (especially in opening track ‘We Are The Young a ‘The Kids Are Alright’ for the zeroes), The Beatles and even overblown Axl Rose-esque sections. It’s brilliant.
After the rousing opener, there’s the double single hit of ‘Star Girl’ and ‘Please Please’, before the album takes a darker turn with the sing-a-longa-heartbreak of ‘Sorrys Not Good Enough’ followed by album highlight ‘Bubble Wrap’, an agonising lament that sees Tom Fletcher heartbroken (“but you’re black on the inside”) whilst Danny Jones takes a more bitter route claiming “Lifes a bitch and so are you” before proclaiming himself “just another ghost that’s been in your bed”. Ouch.
The only way to follow this is with the gonzo assault of ‘Transylvania’, don’t ask what its about, because frankly we don’t know, but since appearing on the flipside of Star Girl it has rarely left our stereo. Then comes ‘Lonely’, which seems to reference back to the guitar refrain of ‘Obviously’ though as the title suggests, the subject matter remains dark. From here, the Queen influences kick in with ‘Little Joanna’ brimming with pop harmonies and ‘Friday Night’ buzzing with Brian May guitars. Then the gentle charm of ‘Walk In The Sun’ sees Danny Jones take centre stage with a summery George Harrison vibe before the monster climax of ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ which is very much Tom Fletcher’s crowning moment, with touches of Def Leppard style rock mixed with an orchestral interlude straight off of ‘Use Your Illusion II’. Stunning.
Early versions of the album then add the classic Queen cover ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and Dougie’s rock stomper ‘Silence Is A Scary Sound’, both of which fans will be more than familiar with.
And then it’s over and before you know it, the chorus of ‘We Are The Young’ is kicking in and you’re along for another ride. McFly continue to shine and with ‘Motion In The Ocean’ they once again ride waves of pure pop and beautiful heartbreak. Surf’s up.
Now with their third album ‘Motion In The Ocean’ (a reference to f-cking Lindsay Lohan, the boys are all grown up…), McFly are back with another collection of Beach Boys inspired pop but now with added pomp and rock overtones. There are shades of The Who (especially in opening track ‘We Are The Young a ‘The Kids Are Alright’ for the zeroes), The Beatles and even overblown Axl Rose-esque sections. It’s brilliant.
After the rousing opener, there’s the double single hit of ‘Star Girl’ and ‘Please Please’, before the album takes a darker turn with the sing-a-longa-heartbreak of ‘Sorrys Not Good Enough’ followed by album highlight ‘Bubble Wrap’, an agonising lament that sees Tom Fletcher heartbroken (“but you’re black on the inside”) whilst Danny Jones takes a more bitter route claiming “Lifes a bitch and so are you” before proclaiming himself “just another ghost that’s been in your bed”. Ouch.
The only way to follow this is with the gonzo assault of ‘Transylvania’, don’t ask what its about, because frankly we don’t know, but since appearing on the flipside of Star Girl it has rarely left our stereo. Then comes ‘Lonely’, which seems to reference back to the guitar refrain of ‘Obviously’ though as the title suggests, the subject matter remains dark. From here, the Queen influences kick in with ‘Little Joanna’ brimming with pop harmonies and ‘Friday Night’ buzzing with Brian May guitars. Then the gentle charm of ‘Walk In The Sun’ sees Danny Jones take centre stage with a summery George Harrison vibe before the monster climax of ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ which is very much Tom Fletcher’s crowning moment, with touches of Def Leppard style rock mixed with an orchestral interlude straight off of ‘Use Your Illusion II’. Stunning.
Early versions of the album then add the classic Queen cover ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and Dougie’s rock stomper ‘Silence Is A Scary Sound’, both of which fans will be more than familiar with.
And then it’s over and before you know it, the chorus of ‘We Are The Young’ is kicking in and you’re along for another ride. McFly continue to shine and with ‘Motion In The Ocean’ they once again ride waves of pure pop and beautiful heartbreak. Surf’s up.