Radio 4 "Enemies Like This" (Astralwerks)
By Kimberly Rosenbauer
Monday. Jun 12, 1:11 PM
Repetitive and run-of-the-mill.

Sorry folks, but we’ve got a problem with bands nowadays not doing anything different. They seem to just jump on the train of popular sounds and ride it through the town of “Live Shows” in order to pay their way.

Enemies Like This is the Radio 4’s fourth record and the first since a guitarist change. It feels repetitive and devoid of anything deep. It definitely has a high energy level, often created by drummer Greg Collins’ snare drum rolls as well as cutting guitar solos, but the end result is nothing spectacular.

For example, the title track switches between two different melodies and rhythms (verses and choruses) until the song is over. Not that other groups don’t do this and get away with it, but the lyrics, singing, instruments, effects… something of those other groups lets you overlook simplicity and redundancy. Radio 4 don’t let you do that.

The sound effects the band do use are average as well. A cowbell, perhaps some maracas, even a distorted buzz are good starts (though in "Packing Things Up on the Scene" it constantly makes me think my speakers are broken). The band try to get there: dancey beats, guitar solos, English-sounding vocals… but it’s just lacking that crowd appeal.

But I do want to weigh all sides. “This is Not a Test” is the strongest song on Enemies Like This. If the band could use this track as a benchmark to create their other songs, they would be set. There is so much potential in what they’re doing here. The song starts with an almost tribal-sounding drumbeat that’s fast and catchy. The bass slowly comes in, followed by whistles, guitar, then vocals. Beautiful layering going on here as the tribal beat continues on with added maracas. The lyrics start with “This / is not a test / place your bets / on recovery.” Toward the middle of the song, guitar solos are followed by vocal echoes. The song then builds with added voices until the end, when all instruments cease and the line “This / is not a test” is repeated once more. This song is brilliant, catchy, musically advanced, and different. It works and it sticks with you.

The rest of the album is on par with the band’s repetitive nature. There are some different beats like a little reggae-influence and ‘70s funk sprinkled sporadically throughout, but it’s all run-of-mill. Radio 4 definitely have the goods musically to keep their career going, but if the group want to shine and have their place in the sun, they will need a booster shot of creative energy.
www.r4ny.com
www.astralwerks.com

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Kimberly Rosenbauer

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