I guess because I always have such high hopes for each new Therapy? album, I am more often than not wrought with disappointment when they finally come along. This all stems of course from the absolute magnificence of Troublegum and what that album means to me.
Here though is High Anxiety which has all the elements that could make it a superb album, but which fails to put them all together in the right way to achieve this. The good songs here are pearlers - the opening blitz of "Hey Satan - You Rock" which delivers musically and lyrically in a way only Andy Cairns can. This is followed by the gutteral "Who Knows" which continues to push the hardcore element. All of the initial tracks stand alone.
"If It Kills Me", the single from the album, is the stand out track, and is the perfect example of the best of Therapy? Everytime I hear this song I wonder how this band has not become bigger throughout the world.
The second half of the album tails off, and fails to ignite the passion that the first half of the album does. This is a bit disappointing, because there feels like there is something really good building until it gets to that point. Then, for some reason, it just drifts away and it is easy to lose interest.
And that is really the problem. So much potential, totally unrealised. I'm sure it isn't easy, but you can't help wondering sometimes whether they would be better off just releasing six song EPs, because for the most part it appears that that is as many good songs as they can put together at one time. Having said that, this remains one of their better efforts.
Rating: Could have been something really special. 3.5/5
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