The individual members of The Script have survived personal tragedies that would have thrown lesser mortals into a tailspin. It’s a backdrop that makes the essentially uplifting quality of their new album even more remarkable. Lyrically it deals with the twists and turns in relationships with side-references to the economic downturn, all allied to melodies that practically define the term pop. Bring on ‘Nothing’ as exhibit A.
There’s an urgent, U2-style grandeur to ‘You Won’t Feel A Thing’, with Danny O’Donoghue’s voice in fine “taking it on the chin” mode. Pop cheesiness is rarely as appealing as it is in their graphic tale of hard times on ‘For The First Time’ and the album’s riff-laden title track has all the boyband factors some love to hate – yet it achieves a conviction more serious rivals often struggle to achieve.
The rhythmically restless ‘This = Love’, with some echoes of Sting, and the up-tempo ‘Walk Away’ provide welcome contrast to the laid-back balladry, although the former’s rap segment sounds uncomfortable, and ‘Dead Man Walking’ is as musically unimaginative as its title.
While they have generally come up trumps with the songs, the real star turn on this album is O’Donoghue’s unerring vocal. He is in superb voice throughout.
Difficult second album syndrome is an affliction that has derailed many talented acts, but with this album The Script seem to have immunised themselves from the virus by doing what they do best – crafting loveable pop records with an infectious edge. Steady as she goes…
KEY TRACK: ‘NOTHING’