This album review is admittedly a bit late. Mainly because I haven’t been able to listen to “The Balance” in one go. Not because it hurts my ears. Not because Mccann’s voice irritates me. And not because the lyrics are especially poor. It’s because I find myself so subconsciously lulled into boredom during each song that I forget to listen. The group don’t do anything badly, but in an industry filled with interesting talent, I’m still ignorant as to why they are so widely adored.

Before the release of The Balance it seemed obvious that the 3rd record from the Welsh group was unlikely to progress from the first 2 records. The same reliance on the definite article, the same 11 one-word song titles and the same minimilast cover work are unfortunately all symbolic of their musical approach. The Balance sticks to the same verse-chorus-verse format as well as the indistinguishable boy meets girl lyrics.

It’s not that their music is unbearable. It just seems sad that a group that undoubtedly sparked excitement on the indie scene 5 years ago now bask in such monotony. In 2014 Mccann divulged that the first three albums were already written. Perhaps this explains why there has been zero progression since then. There can be no argument that the common staccato pre-chorus of Basically and the painfully predictable crescendo in Conversation would be out of place on either of the first two records. They’d fit right in. There seems to be something verging on diversity existing inside Intermission. It’s short life of 1 minute and 47 seconds, however, makes it hard to reach a definitive verdict.

The formula seems to work though. This summer will see the group embark on UK arena tours as well as overseas shows in Europe and the States. The assured and slick production on this record – as seen on their original two – has also helped The Balance reach number 2 in the album charts. And despite the group’s total aversion to any flavour other than vanilla, Van Mccann’s ability to churn out albums and songs that make crowds lose their mind is impossible to deny.

It has apparently become a fashion accessory to mock Catfish, with avid fans claiming critics of the group’s music are on some desperate journey to be “cool” or “different” – a journey which the band themselves have clearly never contemplated. I’ve never understood the easily offended music fan. If the album is that special, turn up the volume and drown out the noise of the judgemental pessimists. I just won’t be the one turning up the volume.

A few summers ago, Mccann said that other musicians were trying too hard to be different and venturing too far outside the box: “We want to stay in the box”. Several years and sell out tours later, the group are showing absolutely no sign of leaving it.

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