Hail Social – S/T (CD)

Hail Social – S/T

Hail Social – S/T / 2005 Polyvinyl / 9 Tracks / http://www.hailsocial.com / http://www.polyvinylrecords.com / Reviewed 18 July 2005

Hail Social’s music, especially their opening track “Hands Are Tied”, seems influences by the dance move, in much of the same ways that created the popular beast that are The Killers. The all-out dance sound of the bass-heavy “Get In The Car” shows a band that is cognizant fully with their listeners, even as they threaten to lose their listeners with a rapid change to a Yaz/New Romantics type of sound. However, the strong sense of instrumentation take Hail Social maintains during this and other tracks ensure a loyal fanbase that will continue to listen.

The linear guitar lines are present, even are showcased during the majority of the disc, but nowhere near as often as on “Come Out Tonight”. The Franz Ferdinand-like sound that Hail Social push forward is mixed with eighties-Cure and Duran Duran to the degree that something new and exciting is created. There are tracks on this full-length debut that feel almost as if Hail Social is spinning their wheels – this is evident during the slow tempo of the aptly-named “Repetition”. The episodic nature of “Repetition” is ultimately its downfall; while there are some differing sounds, they are not far enough removed from the general sound to really excite listeners. The band’s momentum is affected tremendously by this weaker track; following “Repetition” up with “Track #1”, Hail Social get back on the right track by having a distinct, intense bass line coupled with the distinctive vocals.

The tone is a little anemic at times during “Track #1”, but this weakness is by and large forgotten after the band gets into high gear. “More Time” is a late-disc hit, as Hail Social use their vocals in almost an instrumental way, with the vocals present turning and twisting like a fine guitar line. While there may be some minor ruts that mar the finish of this full-length debut, the intensity and intricacy of the arrangements on this disc are bar none some of the few that equally take into consideration fans and musical purists. There are some solid hits on this disc – the shuffling dance beat of the late-disc “Feeling Is Wrong” is just one of many examples, and Hail Social’s victories in terms of this solidly-created pop music far outstrip the minor setbacks that call this disc home. Hail Social is a leap beyond mock-ironic acts like The Bravery and The Rapture; this new mix of rock and dance will innovate in much the same way as the first Electric Six album did.

Top Tracks: Feeling Is Wrong, Get In The Car

Rating: 7.0/10