 The North-East, much like its football teams, its music scene has always been considered "full of passion and potential, but never quite making it". Until recently, unlike its football teams, the North-East as a music scene has become a force to be reckoned with. The Futureheads, yourcodenameis:milo, Maximo Park and others have let the attack on the south of England, and right now, they’re winning the war. So from this base comes This Ain't Vegas, the young fresh-faced band of the same area who has grown up and played with aforementioned bands. You may not know it yet, but this band are about to take the country by storm.
How? Well this, their second album, is going to help. 'The Night Don Benito Saved My Life' is a collection of disjointed punk anthems combining the sounds of the North-East scene, and at the same time effortlessly turning it into something very original and unique. They have the vocal and guitar energy of The Futureheads, the pop-song mastery of Maximo Park and the slightly arty, out-of-the-blue sound of yourcodenameis:milo all rolled into one. You only have to take opener, 'How Clear Can You Be? (Part 1)', to note all these influences. Starting off with an off-beat jagged guitar and drum based intro, it goes into a shout-a-long, almost grungy version of the Futureheads and then out of nowhere whacks out a catchy chorus. And that’s just the intro! This album keeps a well-defined continuity of sound between songs to avoid alienating the listener, but shifts them all around so that it keeps each of the songs original and exciting to listen to. Like Biffy Clyro, some songs can transform so much from start to finish that you are left wondering, "Was that the same song?". While some songs play like label-mates Bullet Union's fast punk, textured edge but without copying the same sound. One of their biggest examples of great 'songsmanship' though lies in 'You, Me and Nothing in-between'. It has an unsure start, but then suddenly explodes in Futureheads rhythmic vocals, brilliant lyrics, and great guitar riffs and attitude. These are songs that keep you alert and on the edge of your seat. You think you know what's coming round the corner, but the truth is, you have no idea, and you love it! These are songs that max out what can be done with a riff in many ways, without getting overblown and pretentious. That is why this band is the future. This is why in a couple years time, the name on everyone's lips will be This Ain’t Vegas. Adam Turner-Heffer |
| Coding: Darren Burrows