| Review: 'The Best In Town' - The Blackout: Album Revisited [Album] |

In ten days, Welsh rock group The Blackout are set to triumphantly return to the O2 Academy in Islington to perform for two nights of rock and roll with an undertone of party fever, a show that only these lads could deliver. This follows their cancelled tour dates after singer Gavin Butler suffered health issues on the last stretch of their previous tour. However the show set for January 18 has gathered large amounts of interest thanks to the show being a special one; the band is set to play their seminal album 'The Best In Town' in its entirety along with some special songs as well. If you were lucky enough to bag yourself a ticket, it's time to revisit the album, put on your skinny jeans and get that 'emo' fringe firmly back in place.

Being the first album recorded on the Epitaph record label after moving from the Fierce Panda label, the band seem to have gained a true sense of respect amongst the alternative and post-hardcore scene and the album definitely stands to show that the band have upped their game to present this to the fans. The album explodes with the punchy riff of 'ShutTheFuckUppercut' and Sean Smith's scream vocals tear straight through the song, immediately setting the tone for what is to be a hell of a ride. Gavin Butler's vocals harmonise perfectly alongside the fierceness of Smith's lines. This is a key element to The Blackout's anthem like cheers that will hook you in and subdue you until you too are banging your head in time to the snare drum.

What sets this album apart from other albums is the element of diversity the band bring to the tracks, with tracks flowing from upbeat and hard hitting breakdowns like that in 'ShutTheFuckUppercut' and 'Said & Done' , whilst also heading into a subtle light melodies with 'Top of the World' and 'Silent (When We Speak)'. Not only does this show the fact that they have grown as artists but it clearly demonstrates that they are not focused on one sound, but more so they are set on writing excellent music which is something they do not fall short on.

Alongside 'ShutTheFuckUppercut', there were three other singles to come off of the album 'Children of the Night', 'Save Ourselves (The Warning)' and 'I Don't Care (This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things)' with fan favourite 'Save Ourselves (The Warning)' gaining the most coverage and became the most commercial single off of the album. The Blackout have proved to us that it doesn't matter who you are, you can still pump your fist whilst you screaming 'We're going out, going out going out!' and still get a kick out of it.

On an album where every track stands for itself, you find yourself constantly tapping your foot along to the track and singing along to the chants that Gavin Butler screams with pride. At little under 35 minutes 'The Best In Town' delivers a thoroughly enjoyable listen which will be taking over your most played playlist and tempts you back for more with every listen.

90%.

For Fans Of: Mallory Knox, Young Guns, You Me At Six.
My Key Tracks: 'ShutTheFuckUppercut' , 'Save Ourselves (The Warning)' and 'Said & Done'.