Drive By Argument - Drive By Argument
A band which were first drawn to my attention in 2005 have, after a long wait released their debut album the very imaginatively named “Drive By Argument” don’t however let this distract you from the content. When first flirting with the Scottish music scene and in particular the Glasgow scene, these guys were tipped to hit the heady heights of “The Killers” to whose label they were signed to. This never happened and they disappeared off the radar playing a handful of gigs and with some members of the band having personal issues it seemed as though the much delayed and anticipated debut would never appear. But overcoming various obstacles, DBA have finally let us have a full length release.
The first track my suggest a evening of playing columns or super hang on but “The Sega Method” leaves no room for the faint hearted as it rushes straight to the point, you are going to dance!! the constant drum of the bass pounds along at great speed and rendering you at the mercy of the rapturous chorus, and the mighty vocals of lead singer Stoke. With excellent added synth melodies and pulses that might not look too out of place on a Sonic the Hedgehog soundtrack this mighty slice of Indie-Dance is layered with guitars that work perfectly to add a thumping tech-no sound created by the exquisite drumming and opens the LP with a purpose to get you off your seat and to move, vigorously.
“Dance like no-one’s Watching” carries on from the opener, starting by introducing us to the synth and building up to a monster of a beat, leading crescendo of a chorus that is brought along by the emotion in the lyrical content delivered so emphatically by Stoke. The lyrics and singing take more of a front row seat in this and are backed up by some brilliant pounding beats and intricate playing of a guitar that work so well and make you indeed want to Dance and hope someone can see you throw down some moves.
With two numbers under their belt already DBA decide to give us a rest and slow things down, “There’s Nothing as Epic as Golden Axe” is a more considered effort and relies on its tenacity chorus with is delivered in fantastic style and sang like it is meant, by a lyricist who can indeed sing and show his range. More synths are on show and can be likened to those from early 90’s arcade games, such as the one mentioned in the title. With a more stop/start feel we are giving a break from constant gyrating and with added acoustics this is a more softer and rounder approach but still has a DBA hallmark of a pounding chorus to keep us on our toes.
But to get us back up to speed and jumping like we just don’t care “Sex Lines are Expensive Comedy” gets you up and leads you on to the dance floor like you were on a death defying dancing mission. Stokes rapturous vocal performance takes the song forward, while the again pounding beat drives you on and the guitar/synth combination give the track body and depth. Stoke bellows “Take it away” with such a vigor that you cannot help to respond. A chugging guitar gives images of a fantastic ride on a train bound for the best party in the city. This encapsulates all of DBA in one song, pounding drum beats, lyrics sung with commitment and vigor and a great synth/guitar over sound to keep the interest level high. The stand out track on the LP.
After a rapturous fore-song the emotions are running when we hear “Star Fish Star Fish Eye” A rather peculiar title if I can be frank but it does little to dull the continuing drive of the LP. We begin here with a light piano which could lead you to believe that this is a distinct change in direction but not to be disappointed, those soft dulcet tones only lead to what can now only be described as a DBA chorus with the drums, synth/guitar combo and the distinctive high vocal. The chorus erupts with Stoke telling us that “There is some much I would say” and this is indeed his “Stunning speech” a lyrical delight and not to far from the pinnacle of “Sex LInes”
Now when your are on a great night out with your closest friends having a night that with always be referred to in times of reminiscing, there will most definitely come a point where you just have to go the bar and take a break from all the jigging that is going on. This is that moment, “How the Trees Sleep” is a much slower more melodic and thoughtful piece than its predecessors. It is a great deal longer than its brothers and sisters with nothing taken away from its quality. A build up that is slow and smooth, leads to a mountain of a crescendo delivered with great vigor by Stoke once more as he demands the “We’ll go down together”. He we are told what can only be described as a dramatic romance, from its early, promising beginnings to playing it cool to “watching us in flight”
And from this slowdown we are taken right back into the “Disco Storm” with a distinctive DBA sound and another slice of Indie/dance, the weakest song on the LP but is has an infectious chorus and a great beat but it just doesn’t live up to the standards reached earlier, a great little number all the same
From here we are asked to “Lower Your Pieces” which starts with a little hook reminiscent of a kids toy, with vocals scattered over this child’s play thing and this is then backed up by the pounding drumbeat indicative of DBA. We are then build up to a middle section of this song which ascends to such great heights with Stoke bellowing “What was it for” and we are then lead right back down to earth steadily and gently left pondering, thinking about what has been and what could be.
For “We Techno Prisoners” its like a can of Ronseal, it does exactly what it says on the tin. a thumping, of that the Gods would be proud is entwined by a magnificent techno synth, and we are taken on a thrusting journey powered by the constant beat of the DBA drum. An excellent guitar loops over giving added depth and links in perfect time to the vocal. A little gem of a tune and one that certainly get that old-skool raver in you jumping. with a slight break and comedown in the middle you are transported though a night at the most illegal of raves once more.
To close DBA finish with a slower number which can be likened to the walk home after your evening out. A morse code synth opens and is also sprinkled through coupled with a distinctive beat that drives this one on and it is closely followed by the melodic lead vocal and backing vocal which gives this a more rounded feel. Not losing any of those DBA touches it shows a versatility while retaining the distinctive sound and showing that more can be expected from the Ayrshire group.
This LP can be likened to a great night out with the excitement and anticipation of the beginning of the night, through the forays to the dance-floor and the rests of a trip to the bar, then ending with one final short burst of energy when “One more tune” is screamed to the rafters of your chosen night spot and ended with the walk, taxi or bus ride home where refections on the evenings festivities are engagingly listened to by the people you hold dear to you. DBA have created a sound that is there own, they write excellent pop songs that are delivered with the commitment that they deserve. These songs make you want to reflect, sing but most importantly dance and dancing is what you will want to do once these infectious tunes enter your ears. After months of delays and moved release dates DBA have produced a fantastic debut that will inevitably leave you wanting more.
