InMe - Daydream Anonymous
Artist profile:
INME
Release Date: 10/09/07
Label: Graphite Records
Rating: ****
This album has come at an interesting time for InMe. They have been struggling for a few years now, losing members and having to work very hard just to keep afloat. Back 'in the day' and in the late nineties (and early noughties) with 'Overgrown Eden'' and less so with 'White Butterfly', InMe were the definition of great British rock. Alongside Hell Is For Heroes, Vex Red and Hundred Reasons they led the charge as the standouts ready to breakout for world beating success. Unfortunately, it didn’t go to plan despite great live performances and press releases.
Fast forward many years then, and the young fresh faced boys are older and wiser. The grunge stomp is still there, but far more calculated than ever before, there is even the slightest hint of electronics used to enhance the music. InMe’s guitars have always been the most powerful element of the work and in opener 'Myths and Photographs' and the grandiose hardcore tinged 'Far Reaching' this is no different, they soar and emote.
We would say that the latest single 'I won’t Let Go' is the weakest part of the album, it’s straight off of a Fall Out Boy album and that’s really fine, except it doesn’t sit well with the other material on offer here. It is true to say however, that the great vocal qualities of Dave Mcpherson are really showcased very well throughout the latest single, but never more-so than in the beautiful and melodic following track, the much slower 'Turbulence'.
'Cracking The Whip' and follow-up 'In Loving Memory' with their brutal riffary serve to betray heavier more metallic influences like Iron Maiden. Other parts of this 'new' sound remain predominantly progressive and the vocals again continue to display diversity with powerful and epic screams.
Title track 'Daydream Anonymous' seems less strong in contrast, lacking drive and the bite of other material on this record while 'Here’s Hoping' picks up the pace again. Varying tones make this song an interesting addition to the album, the band continue to meld rock and hardcore genre elements here. 'Raindrops On Stone' builds up our expectations with a slow opening and then launches into a fast paced cornucopia of smooth vox coupled with blistering riffs and prolific drums sounds.
'Thanks For Leaving Me' is the bands first real epic tune, and it has the potential to be something of a live anthem for the group, the overall tone here reminding slightly of an Essex Incubus.
'Soldier' is a punk effort, with lightening drums and quick vocals, group screams are at the heart of this making it a powerful and relevant song. '2nd Jonquil' is experimental, and it embraces electronica fully. Comparisons can be drawn between InMe here, and bands such as Radiohead or The Postal Service; this is a really different tune for the band, and is very brave work.
The final song on offer is 'A Toast To Broken Glass' and this is the albums standout with the band really ending on a high note with this extremely high octane and roaring song.
This is typical InMe however with that said, they have seemingly graduated from the Post-Grunge label that has dogged them for years, and this is powerful stuff. A welcome return to the heart of British rock for the boys!
Dom Smith
INME MySpace
Buy INME CDs | Buy INME mp3s | Buy INME Tickets | Buy INME Merch
Release Date: 10/09/07
Label: Graphite Records
Rating: ****
This album has come at an interesting time for InMe. They have been struggling for a few years now, losing members and having to work very hard just to keep afloat. Back 'in the day' and in the late nineties (and early noughties) with 'Overgrown Eden'' and less so with 'White Butterfly', InMe were the definition of great British rock. Alongside Hell Is For Heroes, Vex Red and Hundred Reasons they led the charge as the standouts ready to breakout for world beating success. Unfortunately, it didn’t go to plan despite great live performances and press releases.
Fast forward many years then, and the young fresh faced boys are older and wiser. The grunge stomp is still there, but far more calculated than ever before, there is even the slightest hint of electronics used to enhance the music. InMe’s guitars have always been the most powerful element of the work and in opener 'Myths and Photographs' and the grandiose hardcore tinged 'Far Reaching' this is no different, they soar and emote.
We would say that the latest single 'I won’t Let Go' is the weakest part of the album, it’s straight off of a Fall Out Boy album and that’s really fine, except it doesn’t sit well with the other material on offer here. It is true to say however, that the great vocal qualities of Dave Mcpherson are really showcased very well throughout the latest single, but never more-so than in the beautiful and melodic following track, the much slower 'Turbulence'.
'Cracking The Whip' and follow-up 'In Loving Memory' with their brutal riffary serve to betray heavier more metallic influences like Iron Maiden. Other parts of this 'new' sound remain predominantly progressive and the vocals again continue to display diversity with powerful and epic screams.
Title track 'Daydream Anonymous' seems less strong in contrast, lacking drive and the bite of other material on this record while 'Here’s Hoping' picks up the pace again. Varying tones make this song an interesting addition to the album, the band continue to meld rock and hardcore genre elements here. 'Raindrops On Stone' builds up our expectations with a slow opening and then launches into a fast paced cornucopia of smooth vox coupled with blistering riffs and prolific drums sounds.
'Thanks For Leaving Me' is the bands first real epic tune, and it has the potential to be something of a live anthem for the group, the overall tone here reminding slightly of an Essex Incubus.
'Soldier' is a punk effort, with lightening drums and quick vocals, group screams are at the heart of this making it a powerful and relevant song. '2nd Jonquil' is experimental, and it embraces electronica fully. Comparisons can be drawn between InMe here, and bands such as Radiohead or The Postal Service; this is a really different tune for the band, and is very brave work.
The final song on offer is 'A Toast To Broken Glass' and this is the albums standout with the band really ending on a high note with this extremely high octane and roaring song.
This is typical InMe however with that said, they have seemingly graduated from the Post-Grunge label that has dogged them for years, and this is powerful stuff. A welcome return to the heart of British rock for the boys!
Dom Smith
INME MySpace
Buy INME CDs | Buy INME mp3s | Buy INME Tickets | Buy INME Merch
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