The Pigeon Detectives

The Pigeon Detectives are one of those bands that can't seem to find their place in music. In the UK, they break the top 40 but don't particularly reach chart-topping success. But, while other UK bands this equals US indie cred and critical acclaim, they are both unknown and critically derided as also-rans or simply ignored (also see The Enemy, The Wombats, The Courteeners, Biffy Clyro, etc.). But they continue to plug away and keep putting out catchy, simple, straight-forward poppy rock records, while plenty of lesser bland UK indie bands get both fame and cash in the UK and critical approval in the US. It boggles my mind.

With their latest, Up, Guards And At 'Em!, they cover similar territory to their past exploits with a bit more stark, electronic and direct production. But when it comes down to it, the Pigeon Detectives real strength is proper power pop with perfect short bursts of energy and bouncy lyrical witticisms. This isn't the Libertines or Radiohead, and that's not what they are aiming for. What they aim for and very successfully achieve is closer to The Cars or Cheap Trick or even Fountains of Wayne.

The real problem is that no one seems to want that anymore. For the critics it has to be difficult or pushing buttons or award show ready and ready for adult alternative radio. That's not what this band does. It sounds to me like all they really want to do is kiss your girlfriend, and to me that's the most rock 'n roll reason to put out a record. I do find them lacking a look, a reason to be loved and a sense of danger, but again I don't think this is what they want, so in this case, I can forgive it. Especially because the songs are so well crafted. These songs deserve to be Zac Braff approved movie themes and rom-com anthems. Try to listen to this record and 1. not hum the songs all day and 2. not wish you were at a UK festival yelling the lyrics at the top of your lungs with 30,000 teenagers. I dare you.

What can I say? The Pigeon Detectives by user9583193

Done In Secret by The Pigeon Detectives

The Pigeon Detectives - Lost by Song of the Day