KEY POINTS:
THE TEENAGERS
Reality Check
(Merok Records)
Herald Rating: * * *
Verdict: After a strong start, these Parisian indie-popsters soon find themselves lost in a no-man's-land of synthesised disco beats
If the Brunettes had rebellious French cousins, they would be the Teenagers. Both bands share a penchant for monotone storytelling narratives, though the Teenagers' are riddled with profanities. Normally, this would be annoyingly juvenile but somehow comes off more cool than crass, thanks to the boys' thick Parisian accents.
Opening with the amusing Homecoming, which tells the story of a holiday fling from the two parties' points of view, the first five tracks are good, solid fun. The anthemic Feeling Better is reminiscent of early Killers' material, while Starlett Johansson and Love No defy you not to smile, with their silly, yet strangely insightful, lyrics and commentary.
But as Reality Check progresses, it enters a no-man's-land of forgettable synth-laden pop. French Kiss, the album's weakest offering, goes beyond kitsch 80s' nostalgia and reminds us just how musically tragic the decade was.
By the time it reaches the final track, aptly named End of the Road, the album loses all its initial energy and enthusiasm, and so too does the listener.
That doesn't make it a complete write-off, however. Novelty factor aside - when was the last time you listened to French indie pop? - the first five tracks alone are worth the cover price.
