Album Review: Arkells - High Noon

The pounding focus of Fake Money and the synth-tinged glitter of Cynical Bastards recalls Cold War Kids or The Killers at their peak, but soon the energised intensity dissipates into MOR pap like What Are You Holding On To?.

You could imagine Arkells’ alt. pop-rock soundtracking a lame university party, and High Noon, although assured and accomplished, celebrates an everyman sound that’s about as inoffensive as soda pop. Closer Systematic is so damn ridiculous it needs to be heard at least once. But maybe overwrought strings, keys and a Boston-esque chorus is your idea of a good time – I don’t know?