The Xcerts - Scatterbrain

It seems like only yesterday that I heard The Xcerts debut album, 'In The Cold Wind We Smile', heralding it as the debut album that most bands could only dream of making. What a mammoth task The Xcerts have then, with their second album, 'Scatterbrain', as if the second album syndrome wasn't hard enough to overcome, let alone when your debut was as cracking as theirs was.

'Scatterbrain' isn't so much a second album, but more a re-invention of a band that were already fantastic to begin with. It's heavily apparent the influence that producer Mike Sapone has had on the band, as this record is as bold and brave as Brand New's 'Daisy' which he was also at the helm for. From opener 'Tar OK' to closing track 'Lament', its a dark harrowing listen, gone are the sickly sweet pop melodies of 'Home Vs Home' and the Biffy Clyro-esque stylings of 'Do You Feel Safe?' and they have been replaced by not strong singles, but a strong album as a whole with The Xcerts cementing their indentity and their place as one of Britains best up and coming bands.

It's a strange time for musicians still, but The Xcerts are a band that deserve to have a career and 'Scatterbrain' is without a doubt the most important record of this year.


5 / 5

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