Enter Shikari - Common Dreads

2/5 stars
Album review by Ray Philp.
Published 25 May 2009

Two years ago, Enter Shikari were busy burrowing into the deepest, darkest crevice of subgenre, and they’ve defiantly made a squat of their niche ever since. That the St Albans quartet are peerless is merely a technicality, since no one else really does new rave, post-hardcore politicking. There’s no doubting their passion, but they mistake novelty for innovation on Common Dreads; the indefatigable array of ideas they present is plain exhausting, and it makes for a rather capricious record. Some redemption is found in Wall, a spacious anthem of skittering percussion and solemn horns, while Havoc B demonstrates that when Enter Shikari corral their exuberance, the hyperbole that welcomed them is not entirely misplaced. However, some soulsearching seems in order. Enter Shikari’s outspoken pegging of The Man is all very well, but they have to get their own house in order first.

Comments (9)

Add a comment »

  • Generally agree with that but the last thing I want to hear is their lame 'attack bush/blair/the man' lyrics like they do in 'Fanfare for...', it's just plain boring and they're not cool because they are 'sticking it to the man'

    Posted by Will | Friday May 2009 @ 10:36

    Report to moderator

  • That review is bollocks, and has no basis at all. Common Dreads is a solid album, especially for their 2nd release. Keep it comin' guys!!!

    Posted by Chad | Saturday May 2009 @ 04:34

    Report to moderator

  • personally I think its a great album, from a music point of view its solid and a good evolution from their previous album. Yeah the lyrics possibly are a little cliche in a way, but its nice that they have at least some meaning, better than alot of stuff you see these days. Good work chaps.

    Posted by Mike | Monday June 2009 @ 11:58

    Report to moderator

  • this album is good because its so different, i can understand why people wouldn't like it because of that and the amount of unexpected shit that goes off on the album. personally i love it.

    Posted by Jeff | Tuesday June 2009 @ 17:10

    Report to moderator

  • Common dreads is a brilliant second album. It's diverse & completely different from anything that you find in a record shop at the moment. Stand out tracks include: all of them.

    Posted by joseph | Friday June 2009 @ 16:12

    Report to moderator

  • I think it's an awesome album. so different in every way. I love the lyrics too. some of you are just assuming that because they're talking about something thats meaningful to them that they're just trying to be relevant and cool. I don't think this is the case with them.

    Posted by Jordan | Thursday June 2009 @ 07:45

    Report to moderator

  • Are you their PR or what? Say something that proves you aren't some new breed of spambot.

    Posted by Cam | Thursday June 2009 @ 09:54

    Report to moderator

  • I reckon that its a decent album, theres nothing worng with it. Just that i dont think its as good as take to the skies. but still its solid and definatly worth buying.

    Posted by Mitch | Monday June 2009 @ 15:38

    Report to moderator

  • After 'TTTS' I was a die-hard ES fan; however after giving this album a few listens through I really can't even force my self to love it. The continuous streets impersonation, the poor attempts at DnB & Dubstep alongside the complete lack of any heavy guitar work or riffs merit this album as very poor! This review being the first review found that seems to honestly some it up!

    Posted by Matt | Friday June 2009 @ 16:57

    Report to moderator
Leave a comment on this article