The Big Pink: Future This

The Big Pink
Future This
4AD Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Sophomore outing from The Big Pink has its moments but doesn't rival their exciting debut.

Album Review:
Trying to follow up a stellar debut is something that every successful new band struggles with and more times than not - the group misses the mark. I believe you can add London's The Big Pink to the list as their sophomore album, Future This, finds the group bringing back the same sonic approach with guitar, melody and concise song structures but with a slouching confidence.

This does not mean that The Big Pink can't come at you with huge choruses as the one-two punch of "Stay Gold" and "Hit The Ground (Superman)" play well loud and remind you of why you liked the group back in 2009. Neither come close to the memorable "Dominoes" but they go down the right path.

"Give It Up" starts the stretching, as it plays a bit tired and finds its mid-tempo feeling like retread while the next couple tracks follow suit. "Rubbernecking" shines back strong as it bounces along but may come off a bit too playful for its own good to some while "Jump Music" does try out some new sonic tricks but never totally grabs your attention.

For all the almost great ideas on Future This, The Big Pink absolutely still don't fall flat here with its strong enough singles to keep fans interested and a stellar and surprising ballad in the closer "77". This song instantly restores all faith in The Big Pink's talent and quite honestly will push you to give Future This another spin.

Key Tracks: "Hit The Ground (Superman)", "Stay Gold", "77"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Echo & The Bunnymen
M83
Depeche Mode

The Big Pink: A Brief History Of Love [Fire Note Review 9/30/09] [#34 Top 50 2009]

The Big Pink Website
The Big Pink Facebook
4AD Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony