Towers of London 'Shot In The Dark' Review
Towers of London earned themselves an infamous reputation with the release of debut album Blood Sweat and Towers back in 2006. A record full of snotty attitude and rock n’roll bravado reminiscent of Guns N’ Roses and Sex Pistols, it earned them some moderate popularity, along with some controversially destructive YouTube videos showing what the band got up to when not on tour. This put them in an unsavoury light in some places, not to mention singer Donny Tourrette’s publicity stunts appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. The band released a second album, Fizzy Pop in 2008 and after various line up changes called it a day, before making a small comeback in 2015.
However, they have been reborn under the management of Alan McGee (Oasis and The Libertines), and are set to release their sophomore album Super Sounds of K-Town, recorded in Los Angeles’ Korea Town. The band brought out a lead single, ‘Shot in the Dark’ in November, and are gearing up for release shows in Manchester and Birmingham to support it. The track has gained exposure on Sky Sports and Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch.
‘Shot in the Dark’ is a tribute to glam rock; with a stomping drumbeat and a chorus that grows on you the more you listen to it. Production-wise, it’s massive, the guitars being ramped up to arena-sized levels. While the vocal delivery doesn’t quite match up, it’s saved by the chorus, which sounds more confident and assured than ever. Although Towers of London have been marred by controversy in the past, this track could help build some bridges and lead them onto a brighter future.
Super Sounds of K-Town will be released in Spring 2018.
See Towers of London live:
7th December – The Crowndale, London (Ticket link here)
9th December – Night People, Manchester (Ticket link here)
Words by Ermis Madikopoulos