By: Sean R. Grogan



"The Headlines Say..."

The longtime veterans of the music world, The Futureheads, are sure to blow up the charts with their 12th installment, News And Tributes. Riding the wave of excitement after performing on Coachella's main stage, selling out London's Astoria, and with bands like Oasis, Pixies, and the Foo Fighters, The Futureheads began recording News And Tributes.

The record, produced by Ben Hiller (Depeche Mode, Blur), shows real growth as the band slows down the pace, and allows themselves to focus on developing tight songs complete with grinding guitars and crashing cymbals. While the emphasis has changed a bit, their energy and intensity has not. The result is a bold and brash, catchy record laced with samples of dance beats and classic punk rhythms.

The first single, "Skip To The End," opens like an 80's classic rock tune and transforms into a pop track full of glitzy guitar and rhythmic drums. Singer Barry Hyde's vocals become a 5th instrument in this tight quartet of highly talented musicians. The record is full of sonic sensations, from the electronic sounds resonating on "Return Of The Berserker" to the sweet harmonies on "Burnt."