The Automatic - This Is A Fix

B-Unique

After the success of their 2006 debut Not Accepted Anywhere, The Automatic are in ‘difficult second album’ territory. Manic synth-basher Alex Pennie has gone, replaced’ by ex-Yourcodenameis:milo frontman Paul Mullen.

Musically, Pennie’s exit is never really addressed and their resultant blueprint for album number two seems to be to stuff each song full of cranked-up guitars, drums pummelled out of existence and big, shouty choruses. Unsurprisingly, the result is devoid of any real personality; imagine a joyless Kaiser Chiefs. Clunky lead single ‘Steve McQueen’ is a case in point – it lacks the knockout hook it thinks it has, and it is actually one of the better tracks.

The formula does work on ‘Magazines’, which positively soars along on a keyboard-led chorus. “Magazines / Tearing pieces off me,” screams Rob Hawkins, seemingly getting his retort in first. The tormented relationship on ‘Make The Mistakes’ also hits the mark. However, largely one-paced and formulaic, This Is A Fix is risk-free and hugely disappointing; all bark and no bite. But with all the boxes ticked for a collection of festival fodder singalongs, watch it sell by the lorry-load. John Freeman

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DOWNLOAD: ‘Magazines’, ‘Make The Mistakes’.
FOR FANS OF: The Kaiser Chiefs, The Enemy.

Issue #52 - Very Bro-some

Featuring Panama Kings, ASIWYFA, an investigation into DIY touring, details of what over 25 of the finest NI bands are up to in 2009 and much more.