The Ting Tings - Sounds From Nowheresville Album Review

Before we go anywhere with this, the name 'Sounds From Nowheresville' sounds incredibly 2005, a place amongst the 'Son of Dork' months (remember them?) C'mon guys a self-titled album would've had more of an edge than that!

So, it looks like The Ting Tings are back. Well, trying to come back, trying to make that comeback they dreamt of after not only scrapping the 2010 release date of their second album, but also apparently scrapping most of the album in the process. It's not looking good so far is it. When the duo properly released the unforgettable 'That's Not My Name' back in the misty days of 2008, no one quite knew what to do. Many liked and purchased, forcing it take the number one spot, some couldn't take the annoying denial of name calling, Stacey, Jane - her name is Katie, okay? Some just couldn't bear themselves getting caught up in this Ting Ting hysteria and couldn't have cared less. With a collection of poppy-boppy tunes, their debut went to number one. With a number one single and album to their slightly taboo name, surely The Ting Tings should be on to a winner in the comeback stakes?

Wrong. This is an awkward record; it's got sparse potential in barely a handful of tracks. 'Hang It Up' has a riff that strangely has something Nirvana-like about it, poppier and worse of course. Easy lyrics like, 'Everyone loves somebody to hate'

surface and are screeched by Katie White, tone it down. This aside, it's a monotonous one and consequently, a catchy one. Uh oh. Some funk is introduced in 'Soul Killing' the music is carefree; complete with a sound that resembles a creaking bed, which is really infuriating. There's a rarity in 'Give It Back' usually introverted drummer, Jules De Martino sings and it sounds pretty good, until we're back to White's try-hard vocal overlay. Jules should take the reigns on the singing front a bit more next time (if there's a next time.) Though, last track 'In Your Life' is a lot more chiiled. White's vocal is tender and seems to have escaped its obnoxious and angry rut. This avenue needs to be explored more by The Ting Tings. To summarise, Katie needs to pipe down and Jules needs to pipe up - sorted.

In terms of the rest of the album, some parts just don't work. The spoken verse of 'Guggenheim' doesn't sit well with the rest of the record and sounds strenuous to listen to, nowhere near effortless. Some songs sound dated 'Day By Day' sounds like Natalie Imbruglia circa '97, not really what anyone is looking to hear in 2012.

The Ting Tings are definitely bonafide members of the not so good follow up album club, where they'll feel right at home with the hundreds of other artists who have failed to live up to expectations in the past. But stranger things have happened and if they listen to feedback, they could make their dignified comeback in a third offering. They shouldn't be struck off just yet.


Hayley Fox