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Enter Shikari - Common Dreads

Reviewed by Pete | 04/06/2009 - 6:42PM

Enter Shikari have a lot to live up to after their extremely successful debut album 'Take to the Skies', which thrust them into superstardom back in 2007. With such a unique style and sound their next album had to be something special, and I can assure you it is. Enter Shikari have managed to keep their originality and identity whilst providing fans old and new with something recognisable and completely fresh at the same time.

Common Dreads isn't just a collection of songs and incredibly catchy grunge dance hardcore infused tunes... oh no... it has a story behind it. Enter Shikari wanted to create an album with real stories that apply to the modern world, and this really shines through. These messages aren't in your face, but rather on a much deeper level which make you analyse, ponder, and view Enter Shikari in a whole new light. Upon listing to Common Dreads I realised that Enter Shikari have become a mature, focused band, who are much, much more than samples and drum machines. The other thing that is instantly noticeable is the range of different songs Common Dreads contains. Tracks such as 'Solidarity', 'Gap In The Fence', and 'Havoc B' are at opposite ends of the spectrum, but are united with that familiar, wonderful (what I can only describe as) "Enter Shikari-esque" sounding power. Common Dreads comes equipped with hard, fist fighting vocals, ground shaking beats and rhythms, pioneering synth and samples, wall pounding bass, all neatly tied off with loveable guitar riffs, solos, and effects.

So what's left to say about Common Dreads? Are there any bad points? Well, honestly, the negative points are so few and far between that they are mostly opinions rather than gospel. A few vocal tracks are a bit too "British rap" for me... think a hardcore, trance like The Streets... but then take that thought, set it alight, dig a hole, and bury it six foot deep. This album is a cracker and there really is no point in letting such a small negative part of one or two songs ruin something which will give you hours of enjoyment. The advice you need to take away with you, and if you are taking an extract from this review to copy and paste somewhere else is this... take Common Dreads, crank it up loud, then crank it up louder... this isn't just another album realise, this is Enter Shikari.

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