AN inability to write decent lyrics doesn’t have to be a barrier to a band’s career, as New Order, Coldplay and The Killers can testify.
The Courteeners are a newer example: frontman Liam Fray is never going to be a trans-Pennine Alex Turner, however kitchen-sink his wordplay gets. But when you’ve got the hooks, energy and bravado the Mancunians display on their third album, maybe it doesn’t matter what you’re actually saying.
Sharks Are Circling, Lose Control and Van Der Graaf are up there with anything modern indie can offer and better than most, When You Want Something You Can’t Have is naive and touching, and the soaring, runaway pop of opener Are You In Love With A Notion? is the best thing on an album containing a lot of very good things.
Yes, it sags badly in the middle. Yes, The Courteeners aren’t yet the anthem masters they want to be. But Anna, an album which peels off and screws up their lad-rock label, leaves them very close to that status.
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