Sparkling with the sort of infectious punk-rock energy that won Rocket From The Crypt millions of admirers in the 1990s, ‘You Can’t Hide From The Computers’ is a blast from the past that represents a superbly refreshing listen in times dominated, still, by arguments over what is and what isn’t emo.
The Computers, a four-piece from Exeter, are not about to be lumped in with the fringe brigade any time soon. Sure, they’ve got style aesthetically speaking, always hitting the stage in matching garb; but their brand of fiery and furiously executed rock music defies trends, as it sits out of time with movements restricted to weeks and months. Break it down and there’s little in the way of originality about The Computers’ material; what it features a wealth of, though, is enthusiasm and electricity – it prickles the skin and gets the heart beating that bit faster.
Produced by Hundred Reasons guitarist Larry Hibbitt, the seven tracks of ‘You Can’t Hide From…’ fly past the listener at awesome speed – if ears were eyes, blink and you’d miss ‘em. Opener ‘Teenage Tourettes Camp’ sets an attention-stealing tone, all screamed vocals and the sort of finger-bleeding guitar workouts that made Gallows such a buzz act around last year’s South By Southwest. What The Computers have over their Watford peers is a better ear for melody, for instant-hit addiction – given a little luck, this could do for them what ‘Orchestra Of Wolves’ did for Frank Carter’s pack.
On the record rolls, gang vocals bleeding into drum assaults that leave the senses bruised, but feeling touched by something pretty special. Remember when The Hives kicked up a stink of hype? At their most pop-savvy here, The Computers match the Swedes high-kick for high-kick, hips set to swing with scant regard for ‘punk integrity’ – even efforts with provocative titles like ‘Love The Music, Hate The Kids’ and ‘Please Drink Responsibly’ prove to be accessible beasts, blessed by a nous lacking in so many punk acts considered suitable for cross-over success. At the very least they could match The Bronx for audience reach when an album proper drops.
It’s early days yet, but ‘You Can’t Hide…’ overflows with potential. With Kerrang! already telling its readers to “expect big things” of the Exeter band, don’t be surprised if 2009 sees The Computers become a force – live and on record – to be reckoned with both home and abroad. Stick this lot on the Warped Tour and watch their star rocket.
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READ OUR TRACK-BY-TRACK GUIDE TO THIS ALBUM HERE
