Album Review

White Belt Yellow Tag – Methods

• 22nd Apr 2010

What would you expect from former Youcodenameis:milo guitarist Justin Lockey? Not this, perhaps.

Where much-missed outfit Milo were noisy, experimental hardcore types, White Belt, Yellow Tag are an entirely different proposition, coming closer to evoking the likes of Radiohead, Coldplay, and the orchestrated bigness of Arcade Fire.

This debut full-length, coming in the wake of 2009’s well-received You’re Not Invincible EP, is an accomplished collection of vast, stirring melodies that sound stadium-and chart-ready.

Opener ‘Remains’ sets the formula: chugging guitar meets atmospheric synth work, topped off with melodic vocals of an angsty persuasion.
Previous single ‘Tell Your Friends (It All Worked Out)’ is an early highlight, packing a punchy up-and-down chorus. ‘Always and Echoes’ is another good one, a wrought, bittersweet bit of relationship rock to compete with the best of them.

It’s not really about highlights though; the duo have pulled off a strongly consistent, consistently strong debut that’ll excite a lot of people and win them a good few admirers.