Reviews

Scanners

Violence Is Golden

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Review Date: 2006-11-04

Air band scanning receivers are specially designed to pick up air band transmissions. If you didn’t already know that (and by God, I hope you did NOT), well then, I guess it’s a good thing that we learn something new everyday. The moral of this short story, brought to you in part by yours truly, is to be especially careful when entering those precious words into your Google search…unless you want to know everything there is to know about scanners, and where to purchase one for yourself in Canada.

Everything about these Scanners, on the other hand, screams cool, fun and hip, all the way from their name (which for some reason not only makes me think of scanners but also of Xeroxing your bum), to their perfect ratio of male/female band members, to their London roots and style and of course, their music. Sometimes all you want to do is throw on a record, strip down to your undies, and run around your apartment playing air guitar and shaking what your mama gave you. Scanners are the perfect band for this with their rocking debut album “Violence Is Golden.”

I truly believe that sometimes a little straight up rock n’ roll is all one needs, whether it’s because you’re sad, angry, depressed, or hopefully, happy and completely content, and ready to rock. Whatever the reason, it’s nice to find a record that is simple yet catchy, and isn’t fussing around or trying too hard to be different and complex. These first 11 tracks are pretty much all of that. Pop driven and upbeat (for the most part), the record is very straight-up, with catchy and well-composed lyrics. I like the natural progression the record takes, with some slower moments thrown into the mix. All together, it’s a very nice and easy listen.

Seeing as I’ve been revealing my favourite track off each album that I’ve reviewed thus far, this one certainly won’t be an exception, so here goes…Drum roll please…. “In My Dreams” has been ranked as the top runner, since not only did it catch my attention right away, it has managed to grow on me even more so since the first listen. I love everything this song has to offer, but most importantly, its lyrics. “In my dreams I walk with you” is a line I could easily slide into my own poetry, and it would be hard to distinguish my words from those of the Scanner’s. I love that…

Sadly though, as fun, funky and cool as this album is, I could see a few of these songs ending up on random soundtracks to high school-related movies. But since cheesy flicks are a secret indulgence of mine (I guess not so secret anymore), this small prediction of mine isn’t so heart breaking.

Predictions aside, the record is a good one to have around, so just throw on those lacies and a little Scanners action via “Violence is Golden” and have yourself a good old time.

P.S. To avoid any confusion, just click here, unless you really want to know all there is to know about police scanners.

Score: 7

- Aldona