Album Review

Said Mike – Stop The Clocks

• 22nd Feb 2008

Having already shared a stage with Enter Shikari and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, “Said Mike” could be forgiven for resting on their laurels a little. With this 5 track EP they prove that this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Opening track “Mind over Muscle” is an amazing statement to kick off the EP, an up-tempo Rock/dance hybrid, heavy on synth that would get even the most morbid Indie kid dancing. Title track “Stop the Clocks” advises us to “Listen with your heart coz your head don’t want it” It is another mainstream-friendly thrashing number soaked in synthesiser. In “Let Yourself Go”, Thomas Jenkins vocals are reminiscent of a certain Mr. Gerard Way, which is no negative comparison and there is even a drum led bridge towards the songs finale – ‘Just let yourself go tonight’ sounds like it would be good advice if attending a Said Mike gig. “Heads Down Check it Out” is another example of Said Mike giving absolutely everything to their trade, another 100 mile an hour performance which must leave them utterly shattered to perform live. The EP comes to a close with “Sister Mary” A harder, edgier, yet no-less melodic number, Sister Mary has a brilliant stop-start chorus which wouldn’t be out of place on a Nirvana or Pixies record.

The only critism of this otherwise brilliant EP would be that the songs sound very sameish, but when the material – both lyrically and musically – is this good, then familiarity certainly doesn’t breed contempt – A genre spanning masterpiece – Expect to be hearing more from Said Mike