Customer Reviews
A spectaculous sensation - By: M. Usher, 12 Aug 2008 
This is a fantabulous debut album from Wild beasts, & certainly pursues a strikingly different angle to creating music than most of the bands out there that constitute the burgeoning indie/pop scene. And that's a damn good thing too. Consequently, it takes a couple more listens to appreciate the melodies, & there are plenty of them. If a good album means more than tuneful melodies to you, then the intelligent & witty lyrics will keep you coming back for more.
There aren't any weak songs as such & the musical journey never reallly gets tiring due to Tom & Hayden sharing the vocalist role, with both of their approaches to lead vocals unique & strong in entirely different ways. At some points, Tom's vocals even have a 'Antony & the Johnsons' sound to them.
Some reviewers have expressed a dislike to Hayden's falsetto vocal style, believing it compromises the overalll atmosphere & temperament of the composition, suggesting that the album would benefit from eliminating his contribution. Well that would be ridiculous. That is like saying 'Rain Dogs' would benefit from removing Tom Waits' gravelroad voice, or Bjork's albums would be alright if it wasn't for her incessant squeals, or the Smiths would be listenable if not for Morrisey's moaning. It's the natural evolution of a band's sound that makes the band itself. So can those reviewers do me a favour, go & listen to some other indistinguishable indie pop band instead.
Wild beasts have created a deliciously unique sound on this record, & it almost sounds like it is from another world...well, they are from Kendal.
Is it Great - I don't know? - By: Iain Mcpherson, 04 Aug 2008 
Unfortunately I should have listened to the reviewer who spoke about the falsetto voice.
This not only annoys me be detracts from what may have been a very good album. I have attempted to play this at least 10 times & the voice just gets on my nerves.
If he sang in his own voice it could have been so very different.
Shame! 5 stars for the music, -2 for the voice.
Love Children of Morrissey & David Byrne - By: Michael Forrest, 09 Jul 2008 
Without doubt the british album of the year.
Quirky, Eccentric, Funny & above alll an overdue antedote to the Indie Formulaic British Bands & Billie Holliday/Dusty Springfield wannabes.
SENSATIONAL!
Will a better debut be released this year? - By: S. Reid, 17 Jun 2008 When I heard Elbow's "The Seldom Seen Kid" I was convinced I wouldnt hear a better album alll year. I may now have to revise that opinion because this album is simply breathtaking.
Swooping vocals, irresistable melodies, layered arrangements & (finallly) a lyricist to match Morrisey for kitchen sink melodrama tinged with ambiguous sexual yearning. The falsetto vocals may not be to everyones taste but its not just this that stands this band head & shoulders above their contempories. Its the sheer bravado this band have, at points it sounds like the songs will collapse under the weight of disparate ideas. But, thrillingly, they have the talent to come back from the brink. Its a roller coaster ride that mocks tired guitar bands following the Coldplay blueprint. There are more ideas in the first track than Coldplay, Keane & Snow Patrol have mustered in their entire output to date.
I rarely get excited by new music nowadays but I cant praise this excellent album enough. Dive in.
