The Cooper Temple Clause - Kick Up the Fire, and Let the Flames Break Loose

For some reason, I can never say "Cooper Temple Clause" right the first time whenever I'm telling anyone about the band. I always garble something, and I'm not sure why. Maybe I've subconsciously gotten the slightly chaotic vibe from their music so deep into my pores that I've taken it on in my speech. Ah, probably a stretch, but it sounded good, dinnit? The six shaggy mates from Reading have put out a CD that is brilliantly musical and full of power. Opening track "The Same Mistakes" is a dark, edgy conversation you might have in your mind in those way too contemplative moments..."cause you can't keep makin the same mistakes." You get the idea. "Talking to a Brick Wall" is a genius conglomeration of slightly distorted vocals and guitar juxtaposed with the tinkling of delicate chimes and organlike keyboards. It all sounds like a big head trip into the minds of mad men, seriously talented mad men. They channel the Spiritualized of old on "Into My Arms," taking on a dreamy psychedelic quality in the beginning and then assaulting your senses with a wild orchestral clusterfuck at the end (ala the middle of "Cop Shoot Cop"?). The disc closes with the ten-minute bipolar experience that is “Written Apology," a rolling, stumbling sprint through the dark psyche of the band in just one song. I'm really impressed with this record, and I think it makes a nice addition to anyone who likes good brooding rock'n'roll. The Cooper Temple Clause have definitely made a statement with Kick Up the Fire, and Let the Flames Break Loose; they refuse to be a one-trick pony. And with so many tempo and mood changes in their sophomore effort, you might feel sort of wrung out at the end of it all, but I promise you'll be back begging for more. [www.coopertempleclause.com]