Razorlight - Razorlight

We’ve all heard about Razorlight. They’re the band with the lead singer who has a Bono complex, was beaten up by Pete Doherty, has a loud mouth, proclaims himself as good as Dylan, attacks The Kooks, and has an ego that could crush a mountain.

So, why if Johnny Borrell is so obsessed with himself does the album feature four men on the front and not just himself? ‘Razorlight’, the band’s second album, is really a statement of intent; it’s Borrell reinventing his band to be a band and not just him alongside three faceless other members. This comes through in the artwork - all members having bios, and even handprints on the booklet - and even the songs themselves, with the band getting the chance to play around with different sounds and instruments.

As a result, the record is actually much better than we’d have given credit for; it’s crammed with fist-in-the-sky anthems equally playable in your bedroom, or (God help us - Ed) Wembley Stadium. High points include ‘Pop Song 2006’ with its great title, and ‘America’, which Borrell sings without an American accent! Amazing!

Give Razorlight’s second album a chance. You may just surprise yourself.