The Number Ones’ Self-Titled Debut Album Review

Good grief this band is hard to look up on the internet. Apparently a lot of things out there like to be number one. Obvious Highlander quote aside, I stumbled across this band and their self-titled debut LP through the typical Bandcamp digging and am happily content. The Number Ones is a Dublin band made of members of other bands from the area. Europe seems to have a lot of musical incest going on these days. Completely acceptable.

This is POWER POP in its purest form. The dirty guitars, dancing bass lines, and crashing cymbals follow a lovable format to whip you back to the late 70s where bands like The Buzzcocks left your appetite fulfilled. I would not be surprised if this album were recorded all in one take, straight through. Despite the rawness of the sound, the band is comfortably tight and well-rehearsed. The lyrics are juvenile in nature. If you are currently a teenager, have ever been a teenager in the past, or intend on being one in the future, these lyrics are not going to change your life.

This album is less than twenty minutes long. A bit unsettling, as it is quite short for a full length release. This brand of music does not demand the longest album lengths, but The Number Ones definitely push it here. All songs are under three minutes, and most are even under two. Together, the ten tracks spell out innocent summer fun. I do not want to mess with specific decimal scores on this one. Solid three and a half stars! Seven outta ten! I really want to hear this band develop in the future. Maybe focus on more mature lyrics and their own sound while sticking to their roots. The band seems like they are really having fun with this album. I really enjoy “Heartsmash” and “Sixteen”. “Girl” is also a solid track.