This album title is so typical of a British rock band. But that's Hundred Reasons all over. While the 'thanks for listening, we'll be out of your way soon' self-deprecating mentality is nothing to be ashamed of (home countries upbringing don't you know), their debut album is a surprise statement of intent and potential. There are certainly more than enough reasons to be cheerful.
Hundred Reasons are not, as some heathens have cruelly dubbed them, Reef-wannabes. Heaven forbid. Nor are they pogoing onboard the emo-rock bandwagon driven by the likes of Weezer and Jimmy Eat World. Having said that they do share a few obvious traits with the above school - they rock, they work hard and they've got heart. Hardly crimes.
Flailing singer Colin Doran, who sounds permanently on the brink of vocal exhaustion, carries the charisma of the whole band on his shoulders but blink and you'll miss it. Considering they opted for Bush and Marilyn Manson knob-twiddler Dave Sardy, the album preserves the earnest character of the band that pays little attention to the latest style mag trends or scenes. Put your leathers back in the wardrobe cos it's jeans and t-shirts all-round.
If their early EPs whetted your appetite, you may find it initially difficult to escape the clutch of these tracks - opener 'I'll Find You', 'If I Could' and the most recent 'Silver'. But once beyond this preliminary diversion, 'Ideas...' unravels with unexpected depth. 'Dissolve' and 'Answer' outshine the aforementioned singles, 'Falter' does anything but while 'Gone Too Far' is a brain jarring audio sledgehammer to the skull.
Some critics may conclude that 'they've heard it all before'. Don't listen to them. 'Ideas Above Our Station' is the sound of an ego-free entity. It's a team effort and a sum of their parts which, when turned up loud, all adds up to a mighty impressive debut. Simply irresistible.
