Album Review: Money For Rope - Money For Rope

Money For Rope take their name from John Lennon's political protest track Gimme Some Truth, but unlike the song, the sextet's songwriting is much more straightforward. Love, loss, two chords, with a dabble in soul and a back section that's heavy and tight. Sweet and simple.

And there are some tidy melodies on tracks like You'll Be Gone and Since I Left, generally mixing in nicely with some Hammond (but don't mention the D-band!). While the lead single Misery Lane and opening track Common Man bare the fingerprints of producer Steven Schram, with echoes of downbeat Little Red tracks like Witchdoctor. That's the thing with this album – it seems much lighter in tone than the raucous live shows the boys have been putting on relentlessly for the last three years.

It's a good thing, as it gives the songs a greater intricacy, more substance and some killer licks that would sit alongside Beck as easily as they would Foo Fighters. The only downside is the loss of some of their defining characteristics. You need to turn the balance way off to really get the amazing bass lines and true effect of the double drums. There's only a hint of the Datsun-style energy and raw rock that they bring on stage in Ten Times and Sail Past Your House, while their funky party groove shines only in glimpses during Hang Em High.

It maybe a little harsh, but the album feels as though it's compressed their energy and vibe into a capsule aimed at the digestive system of mainstream radio. It's a decent record, it truly is, but they are so much better.