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We Were Promised Jetpacks

These Four Walls (2009)
Fat Cat Records

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Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on November 24th 2009

Check the reviews for We Were Promised Jetpacks' These Four Walls and across the board you'll stumble over comparisons to labelmates and fellow countrymen Frightened Rabbit and the Twilight Sad (admitted influences). Perhaps it's due to the jarringly thick Scottish drawl of vocalist/guitarist Adam Thompson; maybe it's the modern post-punk nature of an amble rhythm that pulses along WWPJ's lively anthems. Whatever it is, WWPJ have coalesced it into a strong and pleasing debut in These Four Walls.

It could be just the yelping, earnest wonder of Thompson's voice, but oddly enough there are times he actually resembles the Scottish counterpart to Against Me!'s Tom Gabel post-Eternal Cowboy. But unlike Gabel's vehicle, WWPJ's enthusiastic, nimble approach can better bear restraint and foreboding measures while retaining some modesty in more confident, college radio-tailored sing-alongs. That's not to say the latter is a bad thing; in fact, they provide some of Walls' standout tracks, with "Quiet Little Voices," "Roll Up Your Sleeves" and "Ships with Holes Will Sink" providing the band's familiar guitar tone and a bounty of hooks.

But the former remain some of Walls' most ambitious songwriting, as "Conductor" and the eight-minute "Keeping Warm" infuse post-rock elements with guitar layering and chimes making up the carefully nuanced compositions. It's a subtle influence, sure, but it goes a long way in expanding the band's sound and keeping the palette refreshing.

Still, one other trick remains up the band's sleeve until closer "An Almighty Thud," an acoustic but paced number that resembles a slightly sped-up take on Death Cab for Cutie's "A Lack of Color." It tightens the emotion into a more taut, tense form that leaves the listener wanting more as the album closes. In the good way.

These Four Walls drifts and stumbles at certain points, but largely remains a captivating and enticing listen. Solid, solid debut.

STREAM
Ships with Holes Will Sink
Roll Up Your Sleeves
Quiet Little Voices

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SKAtepunk (December 9, 2009)

Seriously an amazing album. Greatest for indie this year.

nocigar (November 26, 2009)

One of my favorites of the year. So fucking goooooood. "Moving Clocks Run Slow" is one of the best songs, ever.

bwisott (November 26, 2009)

Saw these guys at Monolith festival at Red Rocks in Colorado this year. They blew the whole room away and it was awesome. This is one damn good debut.

crayZsaaron (November 26, 2009)

Whoa! Shit! Why do I like this so much? If the songs on their Myspace do a decent job of representing this band, then I'm already a huge fan. I'll be sure to check this out. This is unlike anything I listen to ever.

thegreatestmanalive (November 25, 2009)

Havent heard this band but will check out just because their name kind of rules

advil (November 25, 2009)

This record is so awesome, and has been in constant rotation since I saw this band in September. One of my favorites of the year for sure.

positiveatom (November 25, 2009)

it'd be a shame for you to miss out on this record, it hints at really great things to come. this record was never intended to be released so bears the marks of certain juvenile tendencies - things that the right producer could've helped them iron out, possibly at the cost of the raw energy captured here. all 'flaws' are easy to overlook in light of the goods delivered.

saw them live in seattle opening for frightened rabbit and twilight sad, they're definitely the real deal. in my opinion their debut record is stronger than the aforementioned frightened rabbit debut and we all know that FR's sophomore record was mint-tastic from start to finish - spit, polish and grime all rolled into one of the best records of ought-8.

so, if that's any indication of what's to come from this band - i'd consider whetting your whistle with this tasty bevvie so that when the next record is pure genius you can say, "oh, yeah...i was into them, like, last year brah."

mechpope13 (November 24, 2009)

i could have saw this guys in university bar in Scotland but i choose to go see ghostface killah instead, no regrets

Blackjaw_ (November 24, 2009)

Oh, and I hope they don't mellow out for the next album... I fear the singer will stop the shouting parts, and that would be a damn shame.

Blackjaw_ (November 24, 2009)

One of my favourites of the year. My only complaint is the over use of the "back and forth" note playing... I ain't got no music lingo, bro. If they work on that for the next album it'll be perfect.