Funk-tinged pop is rocky territory that has been successfully negotiated by precious few bands over the years, yet Miles Haughton, his twin brother Marcus, and Oscar Manthorpe appear determined to pitch their tent there, to a less than impressive result.
There is one major flaw with Theme Park's self-titled debut album (aside from the funkiness of the band's overall sound) and that is that none of the songs on it are memorable. The execution of the tracks can't be faulted, but much in the same way that it's hard to like a television show or movie when you don't care for any of the characters, it's hard to like an album when there's nothing that grabs your attention. Saccades (Lines We Delay) attempts to get your interest, but it tries far too hard. With unintelligible lyrics, a change of pace two-thirds of the way in and funked-up bassline that would make Mark King from Level 42 a little proud, it just does not sit right. Los Chikas is another example of an obvious attempt to do something clever that backfires, falling flat rather than being an inspired example of songwriting. While the other songs do not appear to be quite as obviously trying to be too clever, there is still an undercurrent of self-conscious over-trying hanging around.
Theme Park may have been meant as an upbeat, feel-good album, however, it falls short of the mark. That is not to say that it is a downbeat or depressing album, because it isn't – it's just that the lack of any clear emotion, sadly, leaves you just feeling bored and more than disinclined to get up and dance.
