It took me ages to come around to The Courteeners with any firm commitment to liking them. Despite the fact that I do in fact like them, there was so much that I didn’t like. When Falcon, their 2010 album release, came out in February, I kept putting off buying it. I was convinced that my liking them was a phase that I’d grow out of, but as the time crept by I found that I couldn’t shake the feeling. It wasn’t until mid April that I finally gave in and bought the album and while the lyrics, vocals, music and concept of the album sometimes bug me, on the whole it’s class.
However, on first listen to the Take Over the World EP I can’t say the same. It’s title track is the saving grace, but seeing as it’s on the album, you’d be better off passing over the EP for the long play. What follows is dull piano in Piercing Blues, a so so cover of The Smiths’ There Is a Light That Never Goes Out live from the XFM winter wonderland featuring Miles Kane and a slow acoustic Why Do You Do It, which is OK, but it would sit better on the album.
Though the Take Over the World EP is a low point overall for The Courteeners, it is a minor blip in a good year. With their next UK gig at the Isle of White Festival in June following a European tour, they’re on track for a big 2010.
The Courteeners, Take Over the World EP review: 3.2/5
