Album Review: Good Morning Milo - Through The Chaos & Clatter

San Diego based Good Morning Milo are an interesting bunch. A quick glance alone would give no indication of what debut album 'Through The Chaos & Clatter' would have to offer. Fortunately it’s a nice surprise. On the first listen the clear, strong vocals, catchy hooks and impressive drive from the rhythm section seem like an absolute recipe for success. The only question to ask is whether there’s anything below the surface. And luckily the for the alternative pop music scene, there really does seem to be.

The album opens with short, but impressive, instrumental 'Pickup Lines'. It’s interesting, nuanced, catchy - an ideal introduction to Good Morning Milo. Following on is 'Win Her', exactly the kind of song this band should be making. It’s catchy, familiar, relatable and, while not breaking any new ground, has a hint of originality about it. Settling continues in the same vein, a hopeless romantic’s girl trouble to a backdrop.

Piano-led ballad 'Feel The Crash' slows the pace and seems to almost act as an interlude at the halfway point of the record. It’s decent enough but it’s hardly disappointing when exclamation-mark-era Panic! At The Disco style 'Engaged' kicks in. It’s a transparent attempt to lift their debut offering out of pop punk mediocrity and it works. It surprises enough to be memorable but still manages to fit in with the flow of the record.

The second half of the album is a little slower but a lot stronger. The drums in Waiting, the sweet sincerity in the lyrics of 'Safe' and the super catchy riff in 'Battle For The Nice Guy' have all the markers of a great debut album. It certainly doesn’t seem like the best work the band will ever produce but there’s spark and promise and, in a lot of ways, that’s more exciting then a polished first release and no way up from there.

Five years ago Good Morning Milo would easily have been a breakout band. Everything about 'Through The Chaos & Clatter' works, it’s just that too many other bands got there first. At the end of the day, they’ve released a solid record with several stand out tracks, no real low point and a genuine feeling that they really love what they’re doing. We can only hope that is still enough.

3.5/5

'Through The Chaos & Clatter' by Good Morning Milo is out now.

You can find Good Morning Milo on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.

Francesca Vaney