On the evidence of Stand’s fourth album proper, these Bronx-based Dubliners really haven’t been standing around. Rather, years of slogging it Stateside have gradually smoothed off their rougher edges, and they’re now coming on in lyrical leaps and musical bounds.
Produced by keyboardist David Walsh, this offering is more melodically textured and far less guitar-based than 2004’s Transmissions. From the edgy and haunting opener ‘Carousel’, it’s obvious that Stand are now hitting their prime.
Alan Doyle and Neil Eurelle still share vocal duties, their hugely contrasting styles working well both together and apart (most effectively on the tuneful ‘Days Gone’). Carl Dowling’s percussion provides an always inventive backbeat, while Walsh’s keyboards add the spacey sparkle. Although the catchy ‘Dressed To Kill’ is their obvious radio shot, this isn’t just another collection of pop-rock songs from a bunch of lads with nothing to say. There’s a real maturity and depth here, hitherto only hinted at.
There’s balls, too. ‘Who Made You Jesus?’ takes a serious pop at George W. Bush. It’s one thing slagging off Shrub when you’re Europe-based, but when you’re an Irish band living and working in New York City, it’s a very brave and divisive move to sing of the US President, “Who made you Jesus?/And who made your throne?/Who’s writing your speeches?/Directing your shows?” Just in case anyone misses the point, they’ve actually sampled Dubya nasally proclaiming, “When we’re talking about war, we’re really talking about peace.”
This is obviously a band with a conscience. On the striking ballad ‘My Theory’, Eurelle sings, “I’ve a theory about the birds/I’ve a theory about the bees/Our careless exploitation/Of the oceans and the seas/It’s ignorance surrounded by muscle and by greed/You spend your life not knowing the mouth you feed.”
While there’s much light to be found here, it’s thankfully not the frothy kind. Stand may Travel Light, but they mostly fly first class.