Razorlight are a band I fell in love with from the first chord of the first song on their Up All Night album.

So, I can imagine a ton of Razorlight fans out there nodding their heads in agreement when I say this single is very highly anticipated. And while part of me was hoping for a rocker of a single, Wire To Wire is simply too stunning piece of work to be disappointed with.

However, everywhere I look, critics are lining up to take pot shots at the band for abandoning their roots and generally calling the song lame.

OK, releasing a brooding, piano-led track as the first single from the new album might not have been the smartest move, but the song stands on its own. Wire To Wire, for me, is a beautifully stripped down ballad, sung with passion by Mr Borrell and short enough at 3-and-a-bit minutes that it doesn’t outstay its welcome.

I personally loved the music video, nothing too flashy in concept, just the band messing around with a box of matches. Although every time I see Johnny, he looks more and more like a young Bob Geldof. There’s a DNA test waiting to happen there, I think.

Anyway, it was brave of Razorlight to release this one. It gets a thumbs up from me anyway, and let’s hope the next one has a blast of rock up its arse!

That’s probably why Razorlight’s debut album Up All Night caught me completely off guard. On a few recommendations, I borrowed a copy to listen to in the car. This album didn’t spark with me on the first listen: Trendy indie-rock normally turns me off. Oh, and as a rule I avoid over-hyped bands like they’re diseased anyway.

It took a couple of listens to get into Up All Night, but this is good stuff. The album starts off inconspicuously with a single piano line then bursts into the radio-friendly Leave Me Alone. Frenetic drumming, crisp clear guitar lines and that English-Indie accent set the pace for the rest of the album. Anthemic indie pop.

The Best Bits

Up All Night is a strong debut, and it’s hard to pick out a track I don’t like. There’s something urban and sleazy in the sound, the lyrics, the delivery. The music is pounding and passionate.

As well as Leave Me Alone, the most outstanding tracks on the album are Rock N Roll Lies, Which Way Is Out, Don’t Go Back To Dalston and the title track, Up All Night.

The Verdict

Critics of Razorlight (or more specifically, Johnny Borell) have pointed out that they’re not the most original of bands on the scene today, but they’re missing the point. The obvious comparison here is Oasis. Their sound wasn’t particularly original, but there was something in the chemistry that people liked.

All hype aside, Razorlight’s debut is a cracker album packed with memorable Indie-Rock tunes.