Cool Thing Records releases Signs of Life, the fourth full studio album by Southend-based Indie Rock/Pop band Asylums. Following Killer Brain Waves; Alien Human Emotions; and Genetic Cabaret; Signs of Life takes a more positive and life-affirming stance after a long period of reflective introspection. This is meant as a genre-spanning more eclectic mix of human emotions versus technology. The home-grown quartet founders of the record label created this album in eight days in the same place as Queen famously recorded 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. They played live, with only a few overdubs and some added big strings...

Track List:

'Scatterbrain'; 'Understand the Psychology'; 'Instant Coffee'; 'Signs of Life'; 'Crypto Klepto'; 'Erase the Edges'; 'If You Can’t Join Them Beat Them'; 'Say Goodbye Before You Die'; 'Nursery Rhymes Against Humanity'; 'Everybody Has a Space to Fill'; 'Spat Out the Other Side'; and 'The Mirror'.

When I reviewed the previous Asylums album, Genetic Cabaret, I had some complimentary remarks to make about the diversity of Rock music styles, but I didn’t like the cheap political nit-picking and finger-pointing. We have become a ‘blaming’ culture; it’s so much easier to accuse history, governments, stereotypes – literally anything, when we should be looking to make ourselves better individuals. But let’s turn to the music, which is full of energy and cross-styling. We kick-off with the single, 'Scatterbrain', which is loaded with buzzing energy for this heavy but commercial teaser which slaps you around the face as with a wet fish.

The hooked style continues, with upbeat and catchy choruses. 'Understand the Psychology' is a stand-out track, cleverly structured and with a guitar effect which reminds me a little of Big Country. The vocals on these songs are emotive, hooking you in for the journey. I love the fact that the tracks have plenty of passion and energy. They are summer songs meant for open-window or drop-top driving – in both senses of the word. 'Crypto Klepto' is a crazy, frantic Punk Song, followed by a ringing and smooth ballad, 'Erase the Edges'. There is good control of vocals in this great collection of infectious (in the best possible sense) pieces. There really isn’t one duff song presented in this feelgood bunch. If anything, it’s even better than their previous release.

9

Ty Power