Released 26th July, on Naim Edge

Somewhere between Keiser Chiefs and Keane, AM have taken “Popular” Rock music and turned it into a shambles. The single “Self Preservation” is shockingly unimaginative. AM use standard drumbeats, simple bass patterns and there is one re-he-heealy simple guitar riff that is used over and over until your mind will literally implode. And just when you think it must end the same riff is also used as the guitar solo...

So the music is crap, lets turn our attention to the vocals…well it doesn’t look good with lyrics such as “we know by now, it's hard to turn this around, but like the leaves change, we just have to rearrange, in order to get by.” I have tried to decipher this but literally cant take any meaning.  I will concede the singer has quite a nice voice but I really can’t hear any soul or emotion going into his singing, probably because the words he is saying are gibberish.


And it  would seem he cant sing and play the guitar at the same time either.

Finally, before I forget about this single forever: “Self Preservation” could have been released about 5 years ago and noone would have batted an eyelid then. It seems like they have decided to write music that tries to appeal to everyone, and in the process created something that is boring, soulless and uninspiring. It is because of its wishy-washy blandness that “Self Preservation” is perfect for daytime local radio; so if you listen to the wireless while you are at work be warned this song is very annoying and at the same time very catchy. It has been a real struggle getting it out of my head all week, and has literally been driving me nuts.

1/10

Posted In Single Reviews, Jul 26 2010. Words - Aiden Fry