Album Review: The Downtown Fiction - Let's Be Animals

The hypnotizing movement of clear blue, chlorine-filled pool water. Darkening skin, sizzling with the odd drop of sweat. Kids playing an unruly game of volleyball with a multi-colored, oversized beach ball and an improvised net. You can now add a stereo churning out The Downtown Fiction's debut album, 'Let's Be Animals' to that list to give yourself a good description of any suburban habitant's regular summer. It's hard to imagine the target audience being anything other than at the teen-section of the spectrum, but their sugar-coated pop snacks are sure to find some hungry bellies.

Unfortunately, I would have to blame it on the market's constant desire for no-risk bands, capable of churning out catchy tunes with enough boy-meets-girl-fuelled angst to tickle the fancies of any youngsters who have access to a radio. Any of the tracks on the album could be potential hit-singles, as they all possess a tame, but ultimately effective, hook and don't rock enough to truly alienate anyone.

'Thanks for nothing, kiss my ass' truly defines the type of rebel-lite lyrics available from start to finish, along with the inoffensive instrumentation throughout. There is very little originality to be found among the numerous similar-sounding songs. The Downtown Fiction could be mistaken for Motion City Soundtrack's less witty sister, or maybe All-American Rejects less charismatic twin, But taken as a whole, it can't be denied that 'Let's Be Animals' is a collection of infectiously summery songs, appropriate for anyone's holiday playlist.

On their own though, the songs simply don't stand up very well. Ask me to designate a best song, I'd say the title track without hesitation, but don't expect me to hold this close to heart for very long. The likeliness that a number of teen soaps will be all over these songs like kids in a candy shop will most certainly allow this band to prosper, but here's to hoping they can accomplish something more defining next time around.


2.5/5

'Let's Be Animals' is out now.

James Berclaz-Lewis