The most recent album from manufactured pop sensation, The Wanted, deviates in no way from the mediocre radio friendly pop that they’ve become known for. People are going to buy this record, but not for sublime lyrics or stunning musicality.
Unfortunately, Battleground suffers from the same clichés and underwhelming ideas that have been sold to teenage girls since the early 90s.
In fact, even the lyrics, which are distressingly superficial at the best of times, refer to things like ‘detentions’ or ‘principals’, not the sort of thing you’d expect men in their early 20s to be singing about, and as such it comes across as a glaringly obvious attempt to appeal to the tweens and teens that will go out and buy this album.
There are several tracks that will inevitably find their way into clubs and the like, and credit where it’s due. The 5 piece have enough confidence, the reasonable voices and, most importantly, a powerful enough image that will probably allow them to stay at the forefront of pop music for the next few years.
But disappointingly, that’s the reality of The Wanted; they’re all image. The music on Battleground consistently lacks substance and is only ever really going to be sold on the back of extremely successful branding. Branding, that is in no way dissimilar to JLS or One Direction, who, before they even released a single, had a questionably obsessive fan base; proof if ever it was needed that the brand is worth more than the music when it comes to sales. And that is a very sorry story.
On occasion, the record may get a few feet tapping, but it doesn’t last and actually, even the extremely accomplished production begins to get boring as synth notes float around pointlessly. Battleground, has been designed to sell to the masses, but lacks taste, quality and at times even starts to become morally questionable.
3/10
You have no idea what your talking about, 3/10. Seriously the nonsense you’ve gone on about is ridiculous. If you hate The Wanted so much, why bother listening to their music or writing a review?
If they bring happiness and joy to teenage girls across the country then let them. At least they are making a career that doesn’t involve slating others just because they are not you’re cup of tea. My advice is: Don’t drink the tea.
Signed,
Mrs Hawthorn
How is he making a career on a free student newspaper? Also he’s not really slating the band, rather the mass production method of boy band creation.
Love this review. I bought the album, not because I’m completely in love with the band or the brand, but just because the music is easy to listen to and no real thought has to go into listening to it.
It’s really hard nowadays to actually find artists that are brilliant, both musically and technically. Most bands around now are all about the brand, and when you actually listen to the lyrics or the music then you find that they are pointless and meaningless.
What Sam has done is not slate or throw mass hatred at the band, in fact he reasonably argues that bands are only actually as popular as they are due to the hype around their image. Yes, they have reasonably good voices, but they’re all the same, and have no substance to their music.
I think the worst thing about the album is the title: ‘Battleground’. This creates the impression that the album is going to be heartfelt and emotional, when all it really is commercial and consumer-based nonsense and only made to create money.
Like i said in my first paragraph, the only reason i bought the album, was not because I think its amazing or that the album is lyrically brilliant, but because its just easy to listen to.
Jess
I understand people have opinions but I know many who actually like The Wanted. They are five young lads, of course not many lyrics will be heartfelt as they haven’t been through many experiences. I just think that it is rather harsh that this album has been given 3/10 when it’s only their second album. I also think it’s great they’ve written the majority of the songs.
Well said Sharon, teenage girls do like this band and to be quite honest, who actually cares?
Are you a girl or boy cause if your a boy then you need to remember that boy bands are known to sing about that well a lot of artist so dont diss if that what they feel if your a girl fair do’s thats your opinion but you can give them that bad of a rating they had two album you know just chill