Album Review

Laruso – A Classic Case Of Cause And Effect

• 20th May 2009

Sheffield rock mob Laruso unleashes their debut album ‘A Classic Case of Cause and Effect’.

Opening track ‘This Isn’t a Moon, It’s A Space Station!’ is not a million miles away from Louder Now period Taking Back Sunday, and is a strong opener, laying out their intentions for the rest of the albums.

‘Plain Paper Napkins’ has vocalist Liv Puente mix just the right of melody and grit, on a hard hitting number, which is none the less one of the lighter moments on the album. The other quieter number ‘Overture’ takes things down a notch, with lyrics full of optimism of having the chance to start again, yet at the same time a sense of regret of having to start again rather than carry on as before.

‘1998’ is the obvious for first single, a catchy take on a failed relationship. A brass section interlude litters the wonderfully aggressive ‘Control is a Technicality’, a short, sharp attack on your ears which makes you sit up and take notice.

‘End of Level Boss’ is their own unique take on their love of computer games, and is a adrenaline fuelled piece of work, signing of with the advice of don’t ever quit your day job.

The band mixes lyrics of lost love, failed relationships and hope with splashes of wit and sarcasm. Guest stars feature on the album with Tony Christie, (yes, Tony Christie!) lending his vocals to the haunting ‘Heresy’. As unlikely as that may seem, it works beautifully with strings added to the mix for extra suspense, and is a real showcase of their song writing talents.
The lad’s tour with Fightstar has had an obvious rub on effect their work and Charlie and Co. duly appear to lend gang vocal parts to ‘Borderline Exit Plan’, chanting “We’ll be alright on our own”. With songs as well crafted as these on their first feature length LP, you are left with no choice but to believe them.