Klaxons
Myths Of The Near Future
Release Date: Mar 27, 2007
Genre(s): Indie, Rock, Dance
Record label: Geffen
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Album Review: Myths Of The Near Future by Klaxons
Acceptable, Based on 4 Critics
Based on rating 3.5/5
Review Summary: Myths of the Near Future is no classic- the highs don’t come fast enough to warrant that- but it’s a solid debut release from one of the least pretentious bands aroundWhen English electro-pop revivalists Hot Chip sang last year of “the joy of repetition” (‘Over And Over,’ The Warning) they were probably referring to themselves. More probably, it was a self-conscious justification of their own brand of metronomic DFA-style pop. And it didn’t work.Klaxons, on the other hand, are perfect examples of the working principle.
Based on rating 7/10
Breathlessly anointed by the British press as pioneers of the "new rave" movement, Klaxons aren't quite as radical on Myths of the Near Future as they've been made out to be -- but they're not as grating as the hype around them would suggest, either. Their sound is closer to dance-punk than revamped Madchester giddiness, more like Bloc Party before they got very, very serious than the Happy Mondays or Stone Roses. "Atlantis to Interzone" is the band's most overtly dancey song.
Based on rating 1/5
Just in time for the release of their debut album, the Klaxons have distanced themselves from the term "new rave". It's just as well, for there's almost nothing on Myths of the Near Future that would suggest more than a passing familiarity with old rave. There are a few electronic sounds, less integrated into the music than taped on to it, and a heavy-handed cover of Grace's classic Not Over Yet, which drains it of its original blissful ecstasy.
Opinion: Very Good
Tweaking on the frenetic energy of their self described 'nu-rave' sound, the UK trio of Klaxons have a lot riding on their debut release. Online fans quickly gravitated to their frothy, upbeat brand of dance-rock. But to call Myths of the Near Future a rave album, or to even discuss it in the context of teddy-bear backpack, lollypop sucking, glow-stick waving, raver throwback is doing it serious injustice.