42 Ways To Lose A Friend - Left Front Tyre

Advantages: Very good album with wide appeal
Disadvantages: Probably not as good as 'The Colour...', poppier, could be longer, not sure about 'lastability'

...another gentle acoustic number, with again fairly sad reflective lyrics, but still a good song, if somewhat unexciting. Rather relaxing in fact. The second half of the album is lacking so many hit singles and, although the songs are still good, they start getting a bit samey in places, almost like ‘Foo-Fighters-by-numbers’, although that’s not a major complaint. ‘Live-In Skin’ kicks this off, beginning with a simple guitar and becoming a radio-friendly soft rock song, faintly protesting about boring, mundane life. Actually one of my favourites, in an understated sort of way. ‘Next Year’ was the fourth single, another soft one, this time with a slight country feel. It’s quiet and radio-friendly again, but once more Dave demonstrates that he must have caught Kurt’s knack of writing pop... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A good central conceit.
Disadvantages: The satire isn't strong enough, the comic timing is off and it is miscast.

...contextually but some of the choices are overly literal. "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" is a limp attempt at satire that is hampered by pedestrian direction, hackneyed writing and bland performances. It is neither as funny nor as cutting as it could be and brings nothing new to the genre. The aspects of romantic-comedy are wasted on a central pairing without any perceptible sexual tension. I was particularly disappointed by Simon Pegg, who seems to be consistently underperforming throughout. It might be worth a punt on the small screen where its lack of scope may be less noticeable, but I wouldn't pay to see it again.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: It's a good album with plenty of pop appeal
Disadvantages: But it's not their best - the poppier direction may alienate some

...another gentle acoustic number, with again fairly sad reflective lyrics, but still a good song, if somewhat unexciting. Rather relaxing in fact. The second half of the album is lacking so many hit singles and, although the songs are still good, they start getting a bit samey in places, almost like ‘Foo-Fighters-by-numbers’, although that’s not a major complaint. ‘Live-In Skin’ kicks this off, beginning with a simple guitar and becoming a radio-friendly soft rock song, faintly protesting about boring, mundane life. Actually one of my favourites, in an understated sort of way. ‘Next Year’ was the fourth single, another soft one, this time with a slight country feel. It’s quiet and radio-friendly again, but once more Dave demonstrates that he must have caught Kurt’s knack of writing pop... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful