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Written by Daniel O'Malley Wednesday, 11 October 2006 07:45

They've been likened to the Sex Pistols specifically, while ex-Pistol Steve Jones himself has christened them "a bunch of little cunts"—a compliment, the group maintains.

Towers of London have been dubbed by some "the U.K.'s wildest new band." Indeed they're causing quite a stir here as well as their native England. With their attitude and their penchant for booze, they've got a knack for starting trouble. And with their tight pants, scribbled-on shirts, ratty leather jackets. and starch-stiff hair, they've achieved a look that's drawing comparisons to bands of the late '70s punk era. They've been likened to the Sex Pistols specifically, while ex-Pistol Steve Jones himself has christened them "a bunch of little cunts"—a compliment, the group maintains.

But image only goes so far and, unfortunately when the five Towers are given the opportunity to speak for themselves, the charade falls to pieces.

"I'm a Rat" kicks the album off with a Guns ‘N Roses-style riff, but doesn't go much farther as vocalist Donny Tourette proceeds to repeat the title over 50 times. "Air Guitar" actually lifts more than a few of its lines from Vanilla Ice. The album rolls on with a blur of booming riffs and tracks like "Kill the Pop Scene" and "Fuck It Up"-more apt T-shirt slogans than songs perhaps-with the latter earning an acoustic reprise that descends into a faux-country sing-a-long.

Towers achieves a high point of sorts with the track "King." Tourette's snarling vocals hit their peak of desperation while the band reaches its anthemic crescendo with a 30-piece orchestra behind them. But in all its over-the-top glory it also feels like perhaps the most contrived moment on the disc.

Much of the album actually feels like a put-on, more a fashionable parody along the lines of Spinal Tap than anything sincere. If that's the case, then you may as well play along. Start the party: crank the music up, sing along, and don't be afraid to crack open a beer and pour it over your head—if you use enough hair spray, it won't even cramp your style.

RIYL: The Darkness, Mötley Crüe