Yahoo! Music Review

Released on 28/04/08
Label: Atlantic

What's not to love about Hadouken!? They do everything pop stars should: dress flamboyantly, hugely irritate people over the age of 19, declare jihad on Dad Rock and give fantastic, snotty, intelligent interviews. In fact, the only thing not to love about Hadouken! is their music. Singer James Smith has insisted he wants to "try and reinvent ourselves from track to track" - a fantastic pop idea.

But it's hard to hear much evidence of this on "Declaration Of War". What we get are maddening synths beamed straight out of an '80s arcade machine, a yelping nonsensical mockney vocal, frantic beats and very little in the way of an actual tune. Just like their first album, in fact. Unless Smith actually learns to write songs, Hadouken! will remain a fashion statement, not a band. No need to hold your breath.

    by Jaime Gill