THE ALARM were one of those bands I got into for a short time when I went into what I would call my “new music” phase. I was getting real tired of heavy metal turning into cheese and hard rock in general. U2, BIG COUNTRY and THE ALARM were the antidote, as well as the synthesizer-driven acts of the era. I hadn't gotten into any of the hardcore punk or independent label rock bands as yet, so this music was definitely a transitional period for a young DMD. THE ALARM would get a considerable slamming from critics as a U2 knockoff. I remember one writer claiming that they should change their moniker to “U1½ “. As funny as I thought that was, It did not dissuade me from liking these guys.

So what about THE ALARM of the here and now? Gone, for the most part, are the acoustic guitars. Gone is the big hair. Shit, gone are most of the members! It’s a Mike Peters thing and I think I understand. So what about the songs? The anthems are still there, but it’s just that they have an added oomph. The gang gets stridently loud with each track as “Under Attack” materializes throughout. Opener “Superchannel” and “My Town” pound the pavement with the power of THE BACKYARD BABIES or THE WILDHEARTS. “Raindown” fetches forth some full-on drums and carries on with liberal doses of acoustic guitar. The track ends with some impressive acapella vocals. “Be Still” does kind of sound like U2, but thankfully it’s in the minority at this point. Shit, come to think of it the guitar melody kind of reminds me of THE CULT’s “She Sells Sanctuary”.

“Cease And Desist” has the pop punk thing going at full throttle. Peters actually lets his accent emerge on this one. The ever powerful and dynamic “Zero” crushes forth with nice ‘n’ nasty distorted bass and wah laden guitar. The bass gets even deeper and lower (a 5 string is something I would never have pictured here) on “Something’s Got To Give” and “I Never Left, I Only Went Away”. It ups the ante and this disc becomes more interesting and powerful as the end draws near. “Few And Far Between” slams hard with a brilliant bridge. The acoustic guitars return again for “This Is The Way We Are”. Astoundingly, this is a pretty killer rock record. “Under Attack” is quite an unexpected surprise.

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.thealarm.com

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