Here we review all three albums by our fav now defunct electro guitar nosie merchants The Cooper Temple Clause.
Kill Music – The Cooper Temple Clause Albums
We love The Cooper Temple Clause and have done from the get go. We were one of the lucky few to receive the ‘Crayons’ demo cd (and still have it in our collection thanks very much) and it lit our fires musically so to speak. It was very much different to virtually everything else around them, very cool, rocky but with that edge provided by the gadgets and gizmos. They were that good that they spawned their very own spin off dedicated fanzine ‘Kill Music’ which took it’s name from one of the best singles of all time which just so happened surprisingly enough to be one of theirs! Time has passed and two excellent albums released (reviews of both below) and we still love them. Plus we've added that 'difficult' third album reviews too. This is fuelled by awesome live shows and hasn’t been dampened by the defection of Didz to join Carl Barat’s little project. The Cooper Temple Clause also have one of the best names in music and that’s enough in our humble opinion to love them!
The Cooper Temple Clause – Make this your own (Morning / Sanctuary)
Intro – It’s been a weird time without the Coopers, one of shaddersonline fav bands ever. Music seems again to have moved on along with founding member Didz to join Libertines tribute band Dirty Pretty Things. Third albums are notoriously difficult and have up ended many a band without the added trials of losing a member. That aside they have re-grouped and gone back to the studio and taken their time to come up with that ‘difficult’ third album. Did they leave it too long? Will the third album jinx strike? Time to load up ‘Make this your own’ and find out the truth track by track.
1,Damage – First up the ‘comeback’ single which when when we first heard it sounded a little disjointed but a few plays later and it really grows. Great chorus, choppy guitars and brilliant Ben vocals. Quite a poppy little number and a great opener. 8/10.
2,Homo Sapiens – Christ what a tune; harder, stronger and faster than anything that the Coopers have done before this eclipses everything from Kill Music through Panzer Attack and Blind Pilots. Ben’s vocals snarl and rasp whilst guitars and drums are given a bloody good hammering and lyrically it’s sound as a pound. Despite been hard as nails it still manages a killer chorus and a pop sensibility and that ain’t easy. Quite honestly it’s fucking ace! 10/10.
3, Head – ‘Head’ completes a killer opening trio, a bit more electro than the previous duo and has a bit of a 80’s synth feel to it but they don’t feel anyway out of place with a pacey drum beat. Ben’s vocals again shine on as song that sounds like coopers of old whilst still having a new edge to it. 9/10.
4, Connect – Now this is where it starts going a little strange, firstly there are the heavy synth influences and Ben don’t do the vocals which sound a bit like Damon (Blur / Gorillaz). Behind the synth is actually quite a simple song, which after a while hooks you in and has your blessing despite it’s failings. 8/10.
5, Waiting Game – This is quite a simple straight forward pop rock tune with quite a catching chorus, sounds like a number of other songs of a similar ilk. Quite a pleasant canter but not really that challenging. 7/10.
6, Once More with feeling – This is a dark one, heavy edged with ugly vocals. Not pleasant like ‘Waiting game’ but short and bruising. 6/10.
7, What have you gone and done? - Now this is a decent tune, never reaches the heights of ‘Damage’ or ‘Homo sapiens’ but again the chorus does good business. Jon’s drums lead up to natty guitar solo and then vocals re-appear with some great accompanying strings. 8/10.
8, Take Comfort – Now this is very weird, a very simple uncomplicated but poppy tune with strong vocals. Not very cooperlike with samples pushed aside for a jangley guitar feel. Unusual but not unpleasant. 6/10.
9, All I see is you – One of the slow burners that the Coopers always slot onto albums and b-sides. It springs into live around the four-minute mark with Ben’s growling vocals mixed in with heavy guitars and strings. Possibly the type of song that the Coopers have made a name for themselves with it’s six minutes of trademark variety, part dark slow burning almost smouldering build up and fires into top gear with a burning ending. 8/10.
10, Isn’t it Strange – Change of vocal duties actually helps this, a decent pace and stomping guitars again with the killer almost pop like chorus. Another uncomplicated rock romp that is sure easy on the ear and to be honest should really be the end track. 7/10.
11, House of Cards – Doesn’t really go anywhere this one, quite of just ambles through minutes without hitting any heights or pushing the cooper boundaries. Of interest for the mixed vocals duties but does sound more like a b-side than a climax to an album and does sound like it has a trumpet on it! 6/10.
Verdict – Firstly it has to be said another hit on the artwork front, hats off to Richard Sweeny for the design concept. Now onto the music, lets say straight away that it isn’t a disaster but we have to admit that like other Cooper albums it does take a few listen through to get really and we do mean really into. It kicks off at an amazing rate and the trio of ‘Damage’, ‘Homo sapiens’ and ‘Head’ is one hell of a way to start any album, that could actually be a big problems that they do seem to peak a bit early! ‘Homo Sapiens’ is possibly the best or if not in the top three or four of Coopers tunes, it is quite simply awesome. On the flip side there are a few songs that don’t come near to previous work, ‘House of Cards’, ‘Take Comfort’ and ‘Once more with feeling’ do have the feel of b-sides promoted to the big leagues. So what do we have then? Well a mixed bag that fortunately has more winners than losers and is definitely worth a spin. And where do the Coopers go from here then? Well hopefully straight back into the studio, promote Ben to sole singer (as that’s one major thing that hasn’t really worked as well as probably they hoped on ‘Make this your own’) and keep kicking up the flames. The fire hasn’t gone out but could do with a few more logs thrown on to let the flames break loose once again. File under – Difficult third album, partial success!
SEE THIS THROUGH AND LEAVE
This is the debut much anticipated debut album featuring the classic dance floor fillers as ‘Panzer Attack’ and obviously ‘Kill Music’. Limited numbers came with a free live CD and promo’s came in a rather natty red embossed sleeve. Here’s the shadders / kill music view & track by track ratings.
1, DID YOU MISS ME? 4mins 40secs KM RATING 8 / 10.
Live Fave. Bit of as slow starter, delicate vocals and effects until about 2 mins in when it becomes darker and faster. Ends with a blast and a scream.
2, FILM – MAKER 2mins 56secs KM RATING 8 / 10.
2002 Single (double a side). Raucous, straightforward rock tune pushing buzzing guitars to the fore. Fades straight into…
3, PANZER ATTACK 4mins 01secs KM RATING 10 / 10.
Live Fave. 2001 single. Always felt a bit out there as a single but fits snuggly in the live arena and here as the filling in a noise sandwich. An absolute beast of a track dripping energy with a monster mix of guitars, effects and drum beats. Hard to beat.
4, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES? 4mins 52secs KM RATING 8 / 10.
Live Fave. 2002 single. Another fantastic song which has been given a bit of a make over for the LP. More tuneful than Panzer but still great ‘Clause and a real gem. A killer key change is all you need, indeed!
5, AMBER 5mins 07secs KM RATING 8 / 10.
Live Fave. A break in pace, Amber sees the ‘Clause in more reflective mood.
6, DIGITAL OBSERVATIONS 7mins 12secs KM RATING 8 / 10.
New Track. Another slow burner, Ben’s vocals up front with a strumming guitar for company. Fortunately they don’t go beyond the pale with the samples and effects so the mood is kept relatively intact.
7, LET’S KILL MUSIC 4mins 13secs KM RATING 10 / 10.
Live Fave. 2001 single. Tempo is back up with the ‘Clause’s musical millstone and by god what a millstone. It’s difficult to see past it live and down on record it remains that good. It has the lot mesmerizing guitars, great lyrics and ludicrous pace. No wonder it spawned a fanzine all on it’s own!
8, 555 – 4828 4mins 54secs KM RATING 7 / 10.
New Track. Distorted samples kick off this unusual offering. It has a similar vibe to The Charlatans instrument ‘109pt2’ from their debut ‘Some Friendly’ only with a harder bite and more metallic edge. A little out of place but gives the listener a break before….
9, BEEN TRAINING DOGS 3mins 13secs KM RATING 7 / 10.
2002 single (double a side). Back to the meat and drink this is a more formulaic rock run through. Good but not great.
10, THE LAKE 5mins 20secs KM RATING 9 / 10.
Live Fave. A fave of many a cooperholic, more complex and well balanced not an immediate track but give it a few spins and you’ll be smitten. Features some great guitar work and a number of pace changes culminating in a frenetic ending.
11, MURDER SONG 8mins 46secs KM RATING 8 / 10.
New Track. A dignified and self-effacing end, Murder Song is the ‘Clause at their most two faced, sinister lyrics (a la Nick Cave) and sweet on the ear. Not the expected ending but both this and The Lake are perhaps the most thought provoking songs amongst the eleven. “Please believe me when I say this is how it has to end”, for now anyway.
TOTAL KM RATING 91 / 110. AVERAGE RATING 8.27!
KM VERDICT - That’s some rating for a debut album, our verdict then is a close second but even so beg, steal or import you should own this album!
KICK UP THE FIRE, AND LET THE FLAMES BREAK LOOSE
After the success of the debut, The Coopers went away for quite a while to bring us a worthy follow up in Kick up the fires. The artwork on the album was far superior to See this thru and once again there was a limited edition with a DVD featuring live audio tracks and video’s. So how did shadders / kill music judge Kick up the fires? Here once again is track by track details, reviews and ratings.
1, THE SAME MISTAKES 4min 52sec KM RATING 9 / 10.
A great way to kick of the second album, it almost lives up to the album title, starting off in sombre mood but breaks off about 3 minutes then really livens up to a cracking pace to end.
2, PROMISES PROMISES 3min 25sec KM RATING 9 / 10 .
The most obvious and immediate track on the album therefore the first choice for a single release. That actually sounds quite negative but it isn’t meant to as it’s a cracking tune, quite ‘filmmaker-esq’ and already a live favourite with the energy jumping off the record into the live arena. Some great guitar rifts.
3, NEW TOYS 5min 26sec KM RATING 9 / 10.
Back to the slow starters but soon whips up into a typically intense coopers tune after a minute or so. The lyrics are quite dark too. Worth a listen and often touted as a probable single release but would possibly need a prune at the end for that which would be a bit of a shame.
4, TALKING TO A BRICK WALL 5min 59sec KM RATING 8 / 10.
Anyone who has seen Get Carter might think the intro of track 4 nods a bit of a wink to that classic movie soundtrack. Another track from the broody TCTC songbook which again blows up after a couple of build up minutes, typical Coopers. The final minute or so is real classic stuff.
5, INTO MY ARMS 6min13sec KM RATING 7 / 10.
Almost stripped down to just Ben’s vocals for well over four minutes, this is simple, powerful stuff. Sounding like Pink Floyd at their pomp but fortunately not their overblown bullshit excess phase. They indulge themselves with a bit of electro noodlings at the end but feels right into a floyd sort of way so they just about get away with it!
6, BLIND PILOTS 4min 01sec KM RATING 10 / 10.
The obvious second single, ‘Blind Pilots’ sounds about as poppy as the coopers will get these days, it’s really stunning sing-a-long stuff and catchy as hell. Top quality stuff which what has to be said a truly bizarre video!
7, A.I.M 4min 58sec KM RATING 9 / 10.
Already a well known Coopers track due to the give away single from cooper fans NME well before the album release. Harder than ‘Promises Promises’ and ‘Blind Pilots’ and with quite a fuzzy feel in parts it’s still a cracking tune and a great appetizer for the album when distributed.
8, MUSIC BOX 6min 24sec KM RATING 10 / 10.
Moving away from singles back into the darker minds of the coopers, you’ve invited into to take a peak into the coopers world, ‘This is my music box, and this my home, come in take a look if you like’. But beware it’s scary stuff lyrically and musically.
9, IN YOUR PRIME 2min 17sec KM RATING 6 / 10.
Quite a strange one this mainly just Ben’s voice and drums and really short, not typical coopers and is almost out of place on here.
10, WRITTEN APOLOGY 10min12sec KM RATING 9 / 10.
‘We love the way you move’ could well be an ode to the fans almost worship to the coopers live but this is another strange one taking the boys out of their more traditional territory for a good four minutes until it builds up to a real tour de force. It breaks down again for an effects led build up sounds a bit panzer attack in feel into a free flow cooper blow out.
TOTAL KM RATING 86 / 100. AVERAGE 8.6 RATING!
KM VERDICT – The winner by a short head – fantastic!