Scouting For Girls
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I read an hilarious review of the Scouting For Girls album over on Drowned In Sound today that riffs on about ‘Mondeo Pop’: described as ‘indie with a mortgage’.
The reviewer, Carrie Bradshaw Layfield lays into the band in a big way, and puts her many points across with an enthusiasm and flair which I just had to share with you guys.
Carrie really goes to town on Scouting For Girls’ lead singer Ray Stride:
Scouting For Girls are fronted by Ray Stride, a man who sings like he’s had a stroke. You can hear it in his intonations, as if the left hand side of his lips are weighed down by hemiplegia, rather than what actually is causing that problem: a misguided attempt at an Estuary accent.
I mentioned in my review of Elvis Ain’t Dead that his accent drove me mad. I’m just glad that someone else noticed.
The basic gist is that Scouting For Girls will appeal to the lowest common denominator while releasing music that is “piece-of-shit slice of pub indie that combines a fantastic streak of visceral misogyny with the kind of intelligent, sophisticated witty commentary more usually spouted by people vomiting into the gutter”.
So, despite the initially favourable reviews of She’s So Lovely, I detect a critical backlash against Scouting For Girls for their mind-numbing brand of indie-pop. Read Carrie’s article and tell me if you can find redeeming qualities in the band afterward. Best deconstruction of a band I’ve read in absolutely ages.
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June 2nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Ok so your a critic! But honestly the music industry is filled with a wide variety of indivdual music and singing styles. I love scouting for girls, i like them because they are different and for once its nice to hear a band that sing cheerful songs and put on a bloody great show!
They are never going to be everyones taste which kind off defeats your job as a critic! who honestly cares or follows your sladerous rude opinions..? the next generation are independant thinking and me especially will not be led by your comments after all you dont have a talent you are just criticising other peoples!
Have fun :D
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:18 am
Hi Hayley - have you considered that I might have a talent for criticising people? As for my “sladerous” rude opinions, plenty of people agree with me that they’re one of the worst things in music right now.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Gerald, all you’ve proved in your attempt at esoteric, predictable rhetoric, (yes that’s right, any middle of the road degree educated nobody can write in such a way as to only make themselves feel better), is that you take some pathetic pleasure in discrediting a band that is continuing to grow in popularity, with fun, sing-along happy music that fits perfectly with a sunny festival weekend where people actually enjoy music rather than criticise.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
As a degree educated nobody, I love it when people who disagree with me question my writing. If I’d been agreeing with you or slating a band you didn’t like, no doubt you’d see me as a more intelligent, less sad kind of person.
I love blog hecklers. Like no-one else has a right to an opinion except them…
July 5th, 2008 at 7:52 am
I’m sorry, but have you not heard the likes of hilary duff and bloody eminem? you seriously think they are the worst?
i like them, and i think they are far better than boys like girls, westlife and other stupid pointless bands.
they are fun, and i don’t think everything has to be the best in order to gain your approval.
which, by the way, they apparantly dont need in order to become popular.
i have an idea.
why dont you write about things you like and then we can bitch and stamp on them? that sounds fun.
let me guess… you like britney spears and think she needs support and has real talent to offer?
tosser.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:49 am
What a talent?! People who follow critics are people that use others opinions as they dont use the ability to think for themselves.
Music is open to people’s ‘interpretation’, it’s how it makes you feel.. what it does for you. I don’t care that you don’t like their music however, i care that you knock them down when they have probaly worked hard to get their sound (which they believe is good) noticed and you are so affensive and aggresive towards people that are just doing what they love…
August 9th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
yh ok whatever you say.All i know is that Scouting For Girls are one of the best musical acts to come from this country, especially when compared to the likes of Leon Jackson, euugh.Enough said about him i think.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I’m confused. on the article is says “words: Dom Passantino”
I respect your opinion, but i have to say i found his accent sexy ;D and i’ve been where that band came from and he’s not putting it on, loads of people talk like that.
“It’s wrong to harp on a fake accent”
I have to point out the accent isn’t fake, i know people who are from south-east london and they talk like that, alright?
And maybe the lyrics aren’t clever, but you know what, they’re catchy, they rhyme, people can relate to them and they put a SMILE on your face.
That’s all that matters.
They’re a very successful band, no matter how much you hate them.
Just had to rub that in :)