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Band Of Skulls have gone from little-known noise-makers to the go-to band for anyone who gets their kicks from shaking their hair back and forth to the sound of wall-to-wall guitar riffs.
After coming out of Southampton during the midst of the noughties, they took on an approach that was a little heavier than the indie bands that littered the charts at the time, but an almost flawless release in the shape of their debut album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey led to huge support slots with the likes of Muse and The Black Keys. The follow up, Sweet Sour, was accompanied by a live album recorded during a sold out show at Brixton Academy, which offered an insight into just how far the band had come for those not already in the know.
With this in mind, their third effort Himalayan poses a little more of a challenge. Sweet Sour essentially followed the exact same formula as its predecessor, meaning there might be a few who are after something a little different this time around. In all honesty, the trio shy away from doing this and Himalayan is once again a combination of riff heavy blues rock and the odd softer moment - but fortunately the collection songs is still strong enough to offer a thrilling ride.
Opener and lead single ‘Asleep at the Wheel’ provides the usual ‘slap in the face’ style statement of intent that will no doubt have tens of thousands bouncing in unison when they hit the festivals this summer. As their former tour buddies The Black Keys unveiled a more polished approach on their new single ‘Fever’ this week, it is nice to see that those who like their rock music to remain a little rough around the edges will not be left out in the cold in 2014.
Watch Band Of Skulls perform 'Nightmares' for Gigwise' below
To suggest rock ‘n’ roll is the only influence on Band Of Skulls is probably doing them a disservice. The album’s title track even tips its hat to the offbeat guitar hooks of disco and some occasional cinematic moments help form an impression of a complete body of work as opposed to twelve standalone tracks that have been hastily thrown together.
By the time the record draws to a close with the woozy, but ultimately uninspiring, ‘Get Yourself Together’, there is a sense that Band Of Skulls may be falling asleep at the wheel, but are certainly not re-inventing it - many fans may well argue they shouldn’t have to.
The bottom line is that for those who have been turned off in the past by a brand of rock ‘n’ roll that could be viewed as derivative, this will do little to change your mind. But for others who are more open to taking rock music for its face value, Himalayan could well prove one of the albums of this year.
