A lot of hype was built up around this album.   I’d seen The Blackout live and they demoed a few new tracks, which blew the audience away, and the EP was one of the best records to have come out of Wales in 2006.  So, after waiting for their debut album to be released for so long, I was sorely disappointed at the end product.

The album couldn’t hold a candle to the EP, and while it was a fair enough album, it just wasn’t an album that stood out.  An arrogant swagger in the record gives it an edge over other bands doing the same sort of thing right now, but it isn’t enough to save songs like Prepare For A Wound and I’ve Got Better Things To Do Tonight Than Die.  The highlights of the album come from the pounding drums in I Know You Are, But What Am I? and the two tracks that appeared on the EP, Murder In The Make-Believe Ballroom and It’s High Tide Baby.  Both of these tracks have had a polish off to be put on the album, yet It’s High Tide Baby is most likely only a sparkling gem on the album due to the guest vocals given from Lostprophets singer, Ian Watkins.

A decent enough record to listen to if you’ve not heard the EP before, but to truly get the flavour of the band, it may be worth checking out their EP The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!  if you’re a fan of Lostprophets, Funeral For A Friend, The Used or A Day To Remember.