FIGHT LIKE APES "Fight Like Apes And The Mystery Of the Gold Medallion" (Model Citizen) four / ten

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It is hard to fathom any Irish band commanding the hype of Dublin four-piece Fight Like Apes of late. Critics trip over their tongues to spit out superlatives in their direction, while audiences lap up their much vaunted live shows.

However, on the basis of their debut album, one could be forgiven for wondering why. Hardly shockingly innovative, ... The Mystery Of The Gold Medallion is far off being the saviour of the Irish music scene, or whatever the latest hoopla about this synth-driven mob is. In fairness, this isn't mere Irish begrudgery; regardless of nationality, this is a very ordinary record. At times, it sounds little more than a trumped-up Republica (yes, them from the Ready To Go' fame).

Tracks that popped up on prior releases like 'Jake Summers' and 'Lend Me Your Face' are among the few bright spots. What might seem like chaotic fun in a live setting makes for tedious home-listening. Even at a party, you'd hope somebody would have the good sense to turn this off.

As for the lyrics, they come across like a needy child who draws on the wall with crayons, just to get some attention, regardless of the punishment; purposely quirky and cheesy, opening track 'Something Global' has the line "Hooks are for wimps/ and choruses are for gays", and it all goes downhill from there.

The band's image, much talked-up love of kung fu, and zany names like MayKay and Pockets, sort of backfires - FLA, like it or not, have become more of a show-band than a substance-band. Maykay has a vicious shriek at times, but if that's all required, why not just mix Enya with Diamanda Galas? Sometimes, the clattering in the background is completely at odds with her vocals like on 'Do You Karate?'

Even writing a song about firing a series of managers ('I'm Beginning To Think You Prefer Beverly Hills 90210 To Me') does little to redeem this record, and when closing track 'Snore Bore Whore' dwindles towards the end, it comes as a welcome relief. They are still going to sell a truck-full of records. Mind you, so will the aforementioned Enya.

Ciaran Ryan
www.fightlikeapesmusic.com

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