The Glitterati - 'The Glitterati' (Atlantic) Released 25/04/05

This an album that after hearing it you will have to admit these guys have got it right.

Guitar lead and riffed up, The Glitterati open with ‘Betterman’- cleverly crafted with energy erupting out of it and vocals that at one point sound like an electric shock. The guitar solos are perfectly placed and executed, just the right length to not make you lose interest. ‘You Got Nothing On Me’ is rock with a superb slur to the vocals and the guitar work here is like an exploding box of fireworks, going off in all directions and you don’t know where to look first ‘cause they’re all blindin’! Disciplined drumming that moves effortlessly from cannon to pistol power holds this number together. ‘Heartbreaker’ has tumbling spirals of semi-solos that breakout in the background of this beat you up number. With lyrics that will hit a spot with everyone, "Maybe I’ll soon settle down/Maybe I’ll just sleep around", and brilliant wordplay with ‘I think you think we think’ all bursting out in one breath, this must be a crowd screaming chorus for any live performance.

‘Do You Love Yourself’ is a number that is so deceptive with its soft, almost decorative music that operates as a foil against the vocals that have harshness that threatens to breakout and does so dragging the sound with them like a mass escape. ‘Don’t Do Romance’ is not the soft option on this album, it is just held perfectly in place by blatantly strong bass work.  There’s a classic opening sound to ‘First Floor’ that’s so gut tight that it allows for the slight loosening up in parts to produce a balanced sound. Vocally a really excellent track, but this is nothing compared to ‘You Need You’. This number will hurl you around the place, caress you for moments, and then bounce you off the walls again. ‘Here Comes a Close Up’ has sleazy vocals that give this blues/rock number a hook to hang everything on. ‘Keep Me Up All Night’ is full of the body and style of a fine wine combined with the caress of a lovers kiss. This one brushes your lips and promises so much. A seductive number that is a surprise in an album of highly charged energy.

The Glitterati do not glitter with this album, they constantly shine, but perhaps the criticism here would be that they could be more adventurous in what they do. Yes, you may need to be a fan to buy this album but it has enough strength that anyone listening to it would be converted. Full of rock style, lots of chords and solos designed for all the air guitarists out there, with dead on drumming and bass playing that holds the sound tight. The Glitterati have managed to produce an album full of strength without overpowering you.