End of Fashion - End ofFashion

Mon 29th Aug, 2005 in Music Reviews

If you haven’t heard of End of Fashion after they have launched their assault on Australia with their recent East Coast tour, in-store performances, non-stop radio play of O Yeah and even a television appearance (not to mention the upcoming official national tour), seriously, where have you been?

As you can tell, End of Fashion are on a mission to promote their long-awaited, self-titled debut album after its original release date was delayed. Having already released two EPs and a single, it’s finally time for the band to release their highly anticipated debut release.

The band describes themselves as pop/rock and it is exactly the sound you can come to expect from this album. The album opens with She’s Love, a track from their Rough Diamonds/Anything Goes EP, which is a catchy tune you’ll find yourself singing along to. Next up, the anthemic and popular tune O Yeah. This song is one that no matter how many times you hear it on the radio, and it is one that is definitely being played, you’ll still turn it up and sing at the top of your lungs instead of rolling your eyes and hitting the skip button.

The Game is the fastest track on the album which has an addictive beat and chorus of “I’ve got an illusion, I wanted to say there’s something wrong here”. Anymore is a slower song about a long overdue break up which everyone will be able to relate to, which is accompanied by a good tune and vocals. Lock Up Your Daughters is the next single from these guys which once again, has a catchy tune with the typical ‘la dada da, la di dada da da’ being the most memorable part of the song which will no doubt, end up being in the charts. And no surprise here, Oh Strain features guest backing vocalist Katy Steele of Little Birdy, also lead singer Justin Burford’s girlfriend.

At times, it is easy to believe Burford is channelling Jeff Buckley as they both seem to be able to hit the same notes and sing in the same style, whilst they carry a different type of music. It’s hard to believe that Burford was a backing vocalist in his days of Sleepy Jackson, but thankfully now he is up front where his vocals can be appreciated by all that hears him.

This album has 11 songs, with five already being released as an EP or single, or part there of. However to make sure we’re getting value for our money, the tracks have been re-recorded and given the slightest change. Some of the tracks, like Too Careful, have a slower beat and don’t sound as rock’n’roll, and Rough Diamonds has a slightly different spin on it as the first line starts out with just vocals and no backing music, as do other lines in the song. They’ve also decided to change the tune and pitch of some notes that only the die-hard End of Fashion fans will notice, but personally, I prefer the original recordings but that could be just because I’m used to hearing it that way. Anyone who hears these tracks for the first time will still thoroughly enjoy them as there are only slight variations. But while they were re-recording some of their songs, one can’t help but wonder why they wouldn’t re-record and release one of their self-proclaimed favourite songs, Be Like That, found on the Rough Diamonds/Anything Goes EP.

After seeing End of Fashion live three times now, I can safely say that I prefer them live to really feel and hear the full power of Burford’s vocal range in action. This album is one the fans have been waiting for and will definitely turn a few people into fans, but I urge people to go out and see them live when they can. As with any band and live performance, there is just an ambience that is missing when you listen to the long player in the car or at home.