It seems to be the current trend to slate Razorlight at the moment. Why is this? What have they done? Is it justified? Is new single Before I Fall To Pieces it a return to glory or more of a travesty than America?
In truth, it's neither. Not as bad as the godawful number one single America, but it does seem as though they've lost their Golden Touch (sorry). So have Razorlight compromised their artistic integrity by treading down the corporate-friendly, Indie-light road? In my opinion, not really. Our mate Johnny Borrell gets a fair ear bashing for being a corporate whore but at the end of the day this is pop music.
Before I Fall To Pieces follows the oft-heard favourite pattern of verse, chorus, verse, chorus, quiet bit, loud bit, end. Simple as could be, but very radio friendly. There is nothing here that we haven't heard a thousand times before, but that doesn't detract from this song being a fairly jangly and likeable affair. Christmas number one? Unlikely, but then what credible rock band can get away with having a Christmas number one, other than Iron Maiden of course...