Switches
Drama Queen [single]
Okay, the obvious immediate reference point here is The Vines. The music is shameless pop, but with a slightly grittier texture previously best represented by the aforementioned Australian power-trio. The fact that “Drama Queen” revels in the same kind of posturing simplicity initially attributed to T-Rex and later adopted by The Dandy Warhols means it’s a definite “feel-good” number for those looking for angst-free, radio-friendly soundbites.
The vocals carry sniffs of Queen in their multi-layering. The relatively simple drums competently stomp their way through 3 minutes, making the tune a likely candidate for Student Union dance-floors across the UK.
Mind you, despite its favourable comparisons, “Drama Queen” lacks both the hum-able longevity of The Dandy Warhols’ and the vague sense of recklessness that surrounded The Vines. Equally, Switches fall well short of the brilliantly crafted, intelligent catchiness of The Strokes, opting for a more ham-fisted, power-chord approach.
Being frank, it’s nothing new. The melodies are predictable, the harmonies textbook and the backing vocals functionally inane. Yet it seems that is what it often takes to write potentially successful pop music these days so - assuming this was their intention - well done.
> Chris Cusack
