REVIEW; IDLE SILENCE ' CLOSE'

The Idle Silence are back!!!
 
Yes as the title says, The Idle Silence are back in full force with their new single “Close”, and once again it’s a banger!
 
I previously wrote a review for these guys (check out my review for 'Dark Matter' here) and was really impressed with their ability to sound like a fusion of two bands, The Ramones, and Nirvana, yet still sounding fresh and original. However I feel like the grunge sound from their last song “Dark Matter” has been replaced with a more punky feeling sound. You can really hear and feel each band member doing their part to keep the song driving and fast. It doesn’t feel as dark as their previous track. Instead, it feels more at home in a surfing or skating environment. It’s a track that keeps the adrenaline flowing and keeps you feeling sharp between the ears, it makes you want to get up and achieve something.
 
The song starts with the drummer counting the rest of the band in with his sticks. A very typical rock n roll one two three four count before the guitars and bass come charging in to accompany the track in all its punky fury. Something I’ve noticed this time is that there aren't many effects on the singer this time. The previous record had some kind of effect on it where it sounded like his voice was inches away from breaking up or becoming distorted. Because of that, you can hear the singers range a bit more. Maybe it is deliberate, but it feels much more melodic. There’s no Ramones style chanting in the chorus like the previous song, it’s more radio friendly. And on top of that, it’s a song that I could imagine hearing in a movie or a sitcom. Something like American Pie or the Inbetweeners, some kind of teenage movie about people basking in their youth and enjoying their new found freedom.
 
Something that I’ve found myself thinking after a few listens is how much this track reminds me of another famous surfing/skating track, which is Welcome To Paradise by Green Day. In fact, this new punky sound that The Idle Silence are displaying in this track really is reminiscent of the first Green Day album. I said previously that The Idle Silence made me feel like I was in the 90’s again, and this track really does that again. I think rather than trying to experiment with different genres, the band has the attitude of stick to one and try to master it, which is exactly where they are headed.
 
I really like the way how there’s no clear pre chorus or anything. There’s no shift in energy or no attempt to try and drop and build. It’s just pumping drums and loud guitars until it all comes to a stop so the singer can ask “how close am I?” Then, it all starts again. The perfect song for a festival in my opinion, and one that could easily have some form of crowd interaction. I could definitely see a scenario where the band stops, the singer points his microphone towards the crowd as they all scream the line “how close am I”, before going back into a frenzy.
 
Once again I’m left feeling really impressed and bewildered that a band like this hasn’t been signed up to a major label yet. They’ve got the songs, they’ve got the sound, they just need that one person to take a punt on them. The only thing I would improve on the song is the very end bit. It all just kind of comes to a stop and the sound fades out, but I think it would be cool if you had those few seconds to hold on the ending notes before the drummer does one last run down and the guitars have one more big hit to really end the song on a wow. But that’s just me being picky.
 
Well done The Idle Silence. Once again you’ve blown my mind!!
 
4/5