3/5 stars
The last 18 months and change have been extremely kind to Drenge. After a couple of years on the fringe, they have steadily escalated to the top of the British alternative rock food chain. This was especially apparent in the live environment, where their up-to-11 energy has brought them to both sweaty, sold-out clubs as well as some of the biggest festivals in Europe.
Of course, they’ve arrived at this level at a cost – their recorded material lacks the je ne sais quoi that makes seeing them in the flesh such an entertaining prospect.
Single ‘We Can We Do What We Want’ bounds through with joyful exuberance, while ‘Running Wild’ also allows the band to explore a darker, grungier side. It isn’t long, however, before Undertow sinks into the abyss, petering out when it should be riding into the sunset.
It could have to do with the restraints of studio recording, or perhaps a lack of spontaneity and urgency. Whatever the case, we’re left with an album that you just know is going to kick like a mule when they play it in the same room, but doesn’t quite get there on its own accord.
Drenge’sUndertowis out now through Infectious/Liberator.
