First impression: Nice artwork. The minimalist look of Black And
White would lead you to believe that The Upper Room are going to be cerebral
disco-punks with their eyes on the dancefloor. Their image, all sharp
suits and faux-hawks, backs this up. However, somewhere between the aesthetic
and the music, something clearly went awry, to the point where the look is
ill at odds with the sound.
You see, Black And White isn't artsy, angular, cerebral or witty. It
is basic Britpop as performed by a completely unremarkable band.
Vocalist Alex Miller has apparently been compared to Ian Curtis
and Morrissey; one assumes by his bandmates and mother, as there is
little evidence to support that case here. Instead, there is plenty of
never-ceasing choruses (the repetition of "It's all black and white for
me, baby" gets really annoying after the 325th time) and sub-Bluetones
melodies.
Sony put a big deal on the table for this band after seeing them
rehearse: no gigs, no demos. On the basis of this single, one must
suggest they were too hasty. If The Upper Room dressed like The Levellers and had bog-standard artwork, maybe I
wouldn't feel so cheated, but it's typical: just when you are in the
mood for something smart and witty you can dance to, you get lame, jangly
pop that went out of fashion with Cool Britannia, Keith Allen and
Sleeper.
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