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Initially plucked from obscurity by The Killers, who took the four-piece on tour with them in 2008, Neon Trees’ fare is hard to fault in its box-ticking tidiness, but isn’t the match of the world’s biggest arena-fillers just yet. Platinum-selling single Animal, a top 40 success in the UK in January and a number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, is a commercially-sound calling card, all bouncy keyboards and sing-along choruses, replete with mean-nothing "uh-oh"s that will sound amazing hollered by a few thousand festival-goers this summer. But it sets a template that the band never strays from. As such, across 10 tracks, Habits becomes something of a drag.
Neon Trees’ problem is that they nail a sound so well that they leave themselves no room for manoeuvre. So many of these songs follow the same formula – slow starts, gentle builds, big middle sections, crackling climaxes, sudden fades – that they become indistinguishable from each other. Variations are slight, at best: Your Surrender bops along gleefully, but lyrics that smack of the maudlin rather counter its sunshine stride; In the Next Room adopts a saucy swagger but can’t quite convince the listener to follow our protagonist through the door for the implied knee-trembler; and Sins of My Youth roars along with its brakes disconnected, but instead of ending in a fiery wreck it merely rolls to a half-hearted halt.
Everything’s so very nearly there, but misses the target enough to leave the listener remembering shortcomings over anything else. Lyrically it’s not the strongest record ever, positively pouring forth clichés, but that’s fine in a pop context (and Tyler Glenn is a powerful lead vocalist). If Neon Trees convey a little more uniqueness in their second album, then we’ll speculate about stardom. But right now they’re play-off contenders in the League Two of shiny rock hopefuls.
--Mike Diver
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Customer Reviews
I first stumbled across Neon Trees by mistake about three months ago and I'm glad I did. When I heard these guys were releasing an album I couldn't wait to get it! I also found out that they were playing at the Manchester Academy, supporting Angels and Airwaves (who were also brilliant) this February, and I have to say, Neon Trees were just as good (if not better) than Angels and Airwaves. Another band (like Pegasus Bridge) who have out performed the bands they are supporting. :)
Most people discovered this album through glee when they sung their main single 'Animal' but they I found them when I went to a The Killers concert a few years ago when Neon Trees supported them.
The only way I can describe their music is its very much like pop/electronic/indie/alternative.
I haven't heard a band like them but this album is an amazing all-round album, great background music for a party and I although this is what everyone says on reviews, just buy the album, you won't be disappointed!
They have a new album out 'Picture Show' in April 2012.
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