Album Review

Scrim – Talking In Code

• 4th Apr 2008

There aren’t enough ‘proper’ rock bands around at the moment, and Scrim hope they can change that. The opening track on this EP, Talking In Code, sees the Sheffield quartet show their intentions from the outset, with Alek McGovern’s vocals backed up by ferocious guitars from John Li, who then sets out his stall with a solo that’s impressive but not self-indulgent.

If I had to compare Scrim to another band around at the moment it would have to be Jet, based on the exuberance and aggression on display. Indeed these Yorkshiremen show the potential to garner a similar reputation to their Aussie counterparts – certainly both ‘Talking in Code’ and second track ‘At the Disco’ are both potential stadium numbers. Unfortunately, the latter does lack a little in terms of lyrics, but we should remember that this is only Scrim’s second release.

The tone changes a little with ‘Open Your Eyes’, a slow-builder that threatens Biffy-esque grandeur but doesn’t quite get there. It is followed by a return to rockier ways with ‘Supersize’. Both show a great sense of musical intelligence which will certainly come to fruition if the output keeps improving at this rate. There is plenty of raw potential here, albeit with room for improvement, and Scrim have time on their side.