The Temper Trap - "The Temper Trap"

Artist: The Temper Trap

Album: The Temper Trap

Label: Glassnote Records

Release Date: June 5^th, 2012

Review by: Sean Kayden

Australian indie rockers The Temper Trap return with the release of their sophomore eponymous album. The band is coming off their 2009 critically and commercially successful debut record, “Conditions”. When it was released, the stand out track of the summer, “Sweet Disposition” dominated the airwaves and was arguably the best pop-rock song out during that time. Now three years later and refusing to rest on their laurels, The Temper Trap try to capitalize on the accomplishment of their debut with twelve brand new tracks. Unfortunately, the slow-burn record falls short of completely wooing me over and feels rather flaccid in comparison to their debut.

            When a band releases a record under a self-title, it generally means the band is saying this is their defining and signature sound. If that’s the case here, The Temper Trap doesn’t live up to their lofty ambitions. This argument comes in the form of how their first album felt relatively fresh and inventive at the time. Lead vocalist Dougy Mandagi still has a tremendous angelic voice. There’s no denying that. However, the music behind him doesn’t always match up so well. Some peculiar choices were made on this album like the completely out of place “London’s Burning,” a complete train wreck that is neither original nor a satisfying replica of something sounding much better. “Where Do We Go From Here” has a great start, but painfully falls into the depths of formulaic. It’s a shame because it could have been something truly special rather than glaringly second-rate. The album oscillates from sounding fairly decent to a middling mainstream pop-rock experience. Finding something to connect with isn’t always easy here, but the first single, “Need Your Love” is an unambiguous standout. The blissful pop track becomes the closest song one is going to get in recapturing the magic of “Sweet Disposition”. “I’m Gonna Wait” is an appealing, soaring tune that strives on being the obligatory feel good love song the album has to offer.

            Despite some pleasant arrangements, the record feels visionless. Without a distinctive goal in reach, it’s difficult to support the band for what they’re unknowingly going for. Inconsistent, lacking any gratifying surprises, and catering to the mainstream masses, The Temper Trap doesn’t demonstrate the growth fans may have being anticipating. In the end, I wouldn’t be all too surprised if the record vanishes quicker than the time it takes to read this review.

Grade: 6 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Need You Love”, “I’m Gonna Wait”, “This Isn’t Happiness”

Published by Mountain Views News on June 9th, 2012

http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n23/p08.htm