Album Review

The Temper Trap – Conditions

• 7th Aug 2009

Easy listening yet poignancy in both lyrics and backing track, Melbourne’s The Temper Trap’s debut album, ‘Conditions’, looks set to stun. If you’re a fan of metal, rock or anything of heavier style than Coldplay however, look away now because The Temper Trap is hear to soothe the ears rather than give them a good bashing.

The main attributes of the album are found in its professionalism of production and the effortlessly crisp vocals of lead singer, Dougy Mandagi, whose voice appears to alternate with ease from soulful to sharp like a duck takes to water. Though at the same time, Mandagi’s voice appears to take precedence over much of the album’s music. Whilst not quite making the notable extensive crescendos and clanging guitars obsolete, much of the focus is quite obviously placed on the voice. As a result, some songs appear to sound similar in structure and are at risk of becoming repetitive.

With that being said, the technical ability of the musicians shines throughout, and thus gives pleasure in listening to a band that are more than apt at playing their instruments. There is also something satisfying about the way in which The Temper Trap allow their talent to break through in small and subtle doses, rather pushing it upon the listener in one fell swoop so that it becomes almost unrecognisable.

At points in the album, songs can be compared to the likes of Snow Patrol and Coldplay with heavy drumlines that are reminiscent of current favourites, White Lies. Similarly to the latter, lyrics of the album cradle large themes, such as death and love as thoughtfully as is possible, although at times can become clichéd. Despite this, first track, ‘Love Lost’, is worth a solitary mentioning as a testament to the sheer beauty and poignancy of music, vocals and lyrics, (‘I know its hard but I can still hear it beating so if you flash your heart I won’t mistreat it, I promise’).

What The Temper Trap can only be lacking is the oomph that their contemporaries mockingly dangle over them. This exuberance and energy is seen (in glimpses) in track, ‘Fader’ which is perhaps the catchiest of the bunch-alongside ‘Love Lost’, ‘Down River’ and ‘Sweet Disposition’. It is a shame then that the album does not comprise of a few more of these kinds of tracks. Instead, most songs don’t begin to ‘kick-in’ until at least a minute and a half has gone by, with track, ‘Resurrection’ being a prime example.

The Temper Trap do however, manage to keep an impressive and vital balance between a futuristic sound that showcases technical ability alongside the gentleness and calm of a confident vocal.

If you listen to ‘Conditions’ by The Temper Trap, in plain terms, what you won’t get is something out of the ordinary or cutting edge, but what you will get is the sound of the modern musician… clean cut, crisp and confident.