Lostprophets were formed in 1997, in Pontypridd, originally as a side project post hardcore band known as Public Disturbance. As it stands, Liberation Transmission is Lostprophets’ third of four albums released to date and has gained them various Kerrang! Awards and nominations peaked, at number thirty three in the Billboard 200 Chart and went Gold in the UK with over 27,000 copies sold. Approximately a year prior to the official release of Liberation Transmission, founding member and drummer Mike Chiplin left Lostprophets to pursue ‘other musical opportunities’. The album’s artwork which reads ‘Nobis Pro Lemma Vobis’ which loosely translates as ‘For us, for them, for you’, a lyric taken from the band’s 2004 single ‘Burn Burn’ from previous album ‘Start Something.’
Liberation Transmission opens with the thunderous ‘Everyday Combat’, which sets the listeners sights high for the remainder of the record. Made up of a pop punk style chorus, ‘walk on streets, on fire...’, guest screaming vocals from Sean Smith (The Blackout) and a thunderous guitar solo or two. The track commences with the ear splitting sound of speakers being ignited, setting the scene for a loud listen. Perfectly arranged, with a call and response dynamic running between faultless lead vocalist Ian Watkins, gang vocals and edgy guitaring. A pop punk/rock song with a kick is a common theme for this track and the remainder of the album and the genre hopping Welsh quintet do not fail to deliver on any of the dozen tracks. It is certainly surprisingly to learn that ‘Everyday Combat’ was not released as a single, considering the punchy without being poppy quality from start to finish, ‘don’t think you’re safe ‘cause it’s not over!’.
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| Liberation Transmission: Artwork |
Second track, ‘A Town Called Hypocrisy’ was sold as a single from 11th September 2006 and consequently reached number 23 in the UK singles chart. It would have been a perfect opening to the album but as ‘Everyday Combat’ is heavier; it is easy to tell why it was chosen instead, as it is a gentle welcome to old fans used to Lostprophets’ sound from their previous two albums. Similarly to ‘Everyday Combat’ however, ‘A Town Called Hypocrisy’ is gritty, flavourful and very dynamic, ‘Save your sympathy!’, with flawlessly entwined lead and backing vocals as well as instrumentality. This track also verifies the fact that the band do not belong to any music scene in particular, yet still manage to genre hop admirably; from pop to rock to metal to pop punk.
Despite having released ‘The Betrayed’ in January 2010, Liberation Transmission truly marks Lostprophets’ peak in terms of sound and overall production. ‘A New Transmission’ follows suit, retaining concise lyrics, ‘Take, take, take all my time all my company, take everything from me...’ and a heavy gig vibe. The band even manages a breakdown into a piano section and some ‘woahs’ without turning into Westlife, followed by a signature colossal chorus. ‘Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)’ is the token tearjerker for the CD yet also comes across as a ‘feel good’ summer hit. Yet by the second verse, Ian Watkins’ vocals and Lee Gaze’s lead guitar become very rhythmic, and similar to Green Day and their 2003 album ‘American Idiot’. ‘Will we make our mark this time?...always said we’d try...’ will stay with you like the common cold, and overall ‘Rooftops...’ is the natural sequel to ‘Last Train Home’ (‘Start Something’, 2004); heavy and heartrending.
Fifth track ‘Can’t Stop, Gotta Date With Hate’ proves that Lostprophets can conjure every single track on an album to be a stormer, despite some emotional guitar at the beginning, and more than worthy at being played live, ‘Cause I see nothing in those eyes...’. ‘Can’t Catch Tomorrow (Good Shoes Won’t Save You This Time)’ is definitely the band’s most indie based song to date without a loss of the coarse vocals. Released as a single from 27th November 2006, the track is forceful yet bright and comes full circle to a complete end, conveying the strong abilities of the band in terms of songwriting and track arrangement. They also depict the possibility of writing emotion based lyrics without ballad type melodies accompanying them, ‘Maybe someday you will know, maybe someday you will end these tears and go!’.
Something to note about Liberation Transmission is that every single song could be released as a single and potentially warmly welcomed by fans, because although Lostprophets utilise a number of genres and styles, they have developed their sound and retained it throughout the album. ‘Everybody’s Screaming!!!’ and ‘Broken Hearts And Torn Up Letters’ are certainly no different, and with these two tracks in particular, you can hear the confidence within the band in terms of who they want to be as musicians, ‘You’ll regret it all, livin’ behind your walls and you’ll never fall in love if you don’t fall at all!’ ‘4:AM Forever’ is caresses your ears like a gentle breeze; beautiful from beginning to end, and not tarnished by a harsh chorus.
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| Lostprophets in 2006 |
The opening of ‘For All These Times Son, For All These Times’ suggests a metal-esque track, followed by Watkins’ scream based vocal. Lostprophets are not oblivious to the power of call and response within a piece of music, and how effective it can be at gigs, ‘Lipgloss lies, doin’ the time, never gonna miss what a left behind...’. ‘Heaven For The Weather, Hell For The Company’ is not only another excessively long song title almost on par with the likes of Fall Out Boy, but if the weakest track from Liberation Transmission had to be named this would be it, slightly limp lyrics and rhythms with other instruments. Brining the record to a close is ‘Always All Ways (Apologies, Glances And Messed Up Chances’) which marks Lostprophets’ flawless style blending, which The Blackout have also achieved.
With metal, pop punk and rock as well as moments perfect for Radio 2, Liberation Transmission is a speedy, sentimental slap in the face in the best way possible.
5/5
It's already been rumoured that All Time Low are set to release another album as soon as possible. They're reportedly currently recording with Mike Green who produced their last two albums and has worked with the likes of Forever the Sickest Kids, Cassadee Pope and Every Avenue. So they're in safe hands if they want their new album to sound similar to their most recent work.
