The_Courteeners-Falcon-(Deluxe_Edition)-2CD-2010-(split tracks+c

Forget preconceptions of boorish Manc laddishness û MorrisseyÆs
championing of this fast-rising band is beginning to make sense. Two
years on from their top five debut St. Jude, Liam Fray and his
Middleton homeboys present an album to seal their role as the
Stereoasisphonics-lookalikes that itÆs okay to like. These are strong,
conventional songs full of clever flicks and feints, deliciously
produced by Ed (Suede, Pulp, White Lies) Buller. That FrayÆs savvy,
gritty-funny lyrics will be compared to Alex TurnerÆs just emphasises
that arch couplets are so rare in pop today that we only have one
reference point outside Moz himself.

Most tracks bounce at a comfortable mid-pace, ensuring maximum
sing-along factor, and perhaps Falcon flags before its end. Yet Buller
ensures that even the most throwaway boast cunning builds and kinks,
and FrayÆs narratives compel you to hear the rest of the story. By now
youÆll know radio favourite You Overdid It Doll, its mildly cautionary
tale of ôa space cadet dressed in fibre glassö driven by a catchy
rhythmic motif thatÆs curiously reminiscent of Rod StewartÆs critically
unassailable classic DÆya Think IÆm Sexy? If that wasnÆt enough for
white-trash-disco fans, BlondieÆs Heart of Glass is later name-checked
by the boys.

DonÆt be misled, though: this remains æindie-rockÆ, albeit tanned and
tarted-up like one of the girls on a night out in FrayÆs songs. Yes,
Arctic Monkeys would be the closest thing û somewhere between Favourite
Worst Nightmare and Humbug û but there are enough musical flourishes
and pining ballads to earn the band the Elbow comparisons they
blatantly desire. (To show theyÆve got, you know, soul.) ItÆs hard to
resent their straining when they do it with this muscular elegance.

Maybe these songs lose their everyman anthem cred when Fray lurches
into second album clichés of the
poor-me-the-rock-god-missing-my-bird-cos-IÆm-on-the-road-beating-off-gr
oupies-with-a-stick variety. And the would-be showstopper Last of the
Ladies, is plain soppy. But at its best û Cross My Heart & Hope to Fly,
Scratch Your Name Upon My Lips, the reflective The Rest of the World
Has Gone Home, the heated Sycophant û this is distinctive and
impressive. Falcon will set The Courteeners soaring.

Deluxe edition including a bonus cd of 5 extra tracks. Enjoy!


DISC 1:

01. The Opener 5:18
02. Take Over The World 3:44
03. Cross My Heart & Hope To Fly 4:00
04. You Overdid It Doll 4:08
05. Lullaby 4:08
06. Good Times Are Calling 3:15
07. The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home 3:26
08. Sycophant 4:31
09. Cameo Brooch 4:19
10. Scratch Your Name Upon My Lips 4:29
11. Last Of The Ladies 3:24
12. Will It Be This Way Forever? 4:39

DISC 2:

01. Revolver 3:16
02. Bojangles 2:46
03. You're The Man 3:22
04. Meanwhile Back At The Ranch 3:16
05. Forget The Weight Of The World 3:11