Review: Trust The Wire (The Coronas)

The Coronas stick to type for predictable fifth album.The Coronas have, slowly and steadily, become one of the biggest and most recognizable bands in Ireland. It’s been nearly a decade since we were first introduced to their stadium–acoustica sound through their surprisingly successful debut album Heroes or Ghosts. 10 years and four albums later the band continue to strive towards musical excellence, creating songs that are as suitable to pub sing-alongs as they are played to a packed arena. Their music is instantly recognizable, with soaring, guitar-driven choruses as well as distinctly Irish vocals and confessional lyricism from singer and songwriter Danny O’Reilly.    However, while this sound and style has brought great success to the band, with all albums (except for 2007's 'Heroes or Ghosts') peaking in the top three of the Irish album charts, people have begun to wonder whether the band has the ability or the bravery to attempt something a little different. With their newly-released fifth album however, there is little in the way of development and the band has seemingly stuck to script.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9JqtIiKsMA   Does this mean this is a bad album however? No, of course not. It is one of the better albums in The Coronas repertoire. The album opens on a good note, with We couldn’t Fake It an ode to a faltering relationship, setting the theme for heartbreak that dominates the album. The album ebbs and flows between the elated sounds of Real Feel and Gut feeling and the slow, reserved melancholia of A Bit Withdrawn. This album provides a series of songs you could easily imagine being sung back by a ten thousand plus crowd in the likes of Marlay Park, Kilmainham or the Marque, with highlights are scattered throughout with the opening track, Give Me A Minute, A Bit Withdrawn and Have No Age proving the most likable.     While this album does little to silence the naysayers, The Coronas have once again created an album fans will love, cling to and allow to soundtrack their own highs and lows. Having just launched their own label there is nothing to stop The Coronas from becoming a band that could be recognized as easily abroad as they are at home except for the pop-anthem box that they have placed themselves firmly into. There’s still hope, and they could yet prove everyone wrong, however, with Trust The Wire it seems like a band just sticking to the formula.3/5